Team Form & Recent Performances

Empoli

• 2025/26 Record: 1W, 1D, 3L in Serie B (4 points, 16th); 2024/25 Serie A 18th with 8W, 10D, 20L (relegated)

• Latest Result: Drew 2-2 vs. Carrarese (September 28, 2025), lost 4-0 at Pescara (September 21, 2025), per web ID 6

• Home Form: 0W, 2D, 0L in 2 Serie B home games (3 goals scored, 2 conceded)

Empoli are struggling to adapt to Serie B, sitting 16th with only one win. Their 2-2 draw against Carrarese, with goals from Stiven Shpendi and Joseph Ceesay, showed fight despite 52% possession, per web ID 6. The 4-0 loss at Pescara exposed defensive frailties, conceding 1.8 expected goals (xG), per web ID 16. At Carlo Castellani, they average 1.5 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game, remaining unbeaten at home. Over their last five games (1W, 1D, 3L), they’ve scored 5 goals and conceded 12, per web ID 18. Injuries to Ardian Ismajli, Christian Kouame, Nicolas Haas, Szymon Zurkowski, Youssef Maleh, Saba Sazonov, and Pietro Pellegri persist, with Viktor Kovalenko doubtful, per web ID 20. Their 44% possession and 3.9 shots on goal per game reflect inconsistency, per web ID 2.

Monza

• 2025/26 Record: 2W, 1D, 2L in Serie B (7 points, 5th); 2024/25 Serie A 20th with 3W, 9D, 24L (relegated)

• Latest Result: Lost 1-0 vs. Padova (September 28, 2025), won 1-0 vs. Sampdoria (September 21, 2025), per web ID 2

• Away Form: 0W, 1D, 1L in 2 Serie B away games (1 goal scored, 2 conceded)

Monza are adapting better to Serie B, sitting 5th with a balanced start. Their 1-0 loss to Padova ended a three-game unbeaten run, with 45% possession and limited chances, per web ID 2. The 1-0 win over Sampdoria showed defensive solidity. Away, they average 0.5 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game, per web ID 16. Over their last five games (2W, 1D, 2L), they’ve scored 4 goals and conceded 4, per web ID 18. Injuries to Pedro Pereira (suspension), Matteo Pessina, Armando Izzo, Luca Caldirola, Roberto Gagliardini, Silvere Ganvoula, and Dany Mota weaken their squad, with Gianluca Caprari doubtful, per web ID 11. Their 45.7% possession and 2.9 shots on goal per game suggest caution, per web ID 2.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: Empoli lead with 6 wins to Monza’s 2, 3 draws in 11 matches, per web ID 10

• Recent Meeting: May 18, 2025—Monza 1-3 Empoli (Serie A), per web IDs 6, 16

• Key Trend: Empoli won 3 of the last 5 H2Hs; 4 of 5 saw both teams score, averaging 2.27 goals per game; Empoli unbeaten in 6 home H2Hs (4W, 2D), per web IDs 6, 9, 10

Empoli’s 3-1 win at Monza in May 2025, with goals from Jacopo Fazzini and others, continued their H2H dominance, per web ID 6. The reverse fixture in August 2024 ended 0-0, per web ID 7. Both teams scored in 80% of recent H2Hs, with Empoli averaging 1.4 goals to Monza’s 0.8, per web ID 10. Empoli’s unbeaten home H2H record (4W, 2D) and Monza’s failure to score in their last 4 away H2Hs favor the hosts, per web ID 16.

Key Players to Watch

Empoli

• Bohdan Popov (FWD): 4 goals in Serie B; top scorer, scored vs. Spezia, per web IDs 6, 16

• Jacopo Fazzini (MID): 3 goals in Serie A last season; scored vs. Monza, per web ID 11

• Marco Curto (GK): No clean sheets in Serie B, 65% save rate. Needs to improve, per web ID 16

Monza

• Agustin Alvarez (FWD): 2 goals in Serie B; top scorer, ranked 6th, per web ID 16

• Alessandro Bianco (MID): Key playmaker with vision, stepping up amid injuries, per web ID 4

• S. Pizzignacco (GK): 2 clean sheets in Serie B, 68% save rate. Vital away, per web ID 11

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Empoli’s 4-2-3-1, under Guido Pagliuca, relies on Popov’s finishing and Fazzini’s creativity, with Sebastian Walukiewicz anchoring defense, averaging 44% possession and 3.9 shots on goal per game, per web ID 2. With multiple injuries, they’ll lean on Giuseppe Pezzella, targeting Monza’s 1.0 conceded away, but their 2.4 conceded per game is a concern, per web ID 16. Monza’s 3-5-2, led by Paolo Bianco, uses Alvarez’s movement and Bianco’s passing, with Samuele Birindelli in midfield, averaging 45.7% possession and 2.9 shots on goal, per web ID 2. Injuries and Pereira’s suspension force reliance on Omari Forson, with a counter-attacking approach, but their 0/2 away wins are worrying, per web ID 16. Carlo Castellani’s 16,800 fans will push Empoli, per web ID 15. Web buzz favors Empoli at 1.83 odds, with a draw at 3.30 and BTTS at 1.83, citing home advantage and H2H, per web ID 2.