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Fiorentina will entertain local rivals Empoli at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in the Coppa Italia round of 16 on Wednesday. The hosts have earned a direct spot in this round while the visitors overcame Torino in the previous round in September.
I Viola are on a three-game winning streak across all competitions. Their Serie A meeting against Inter Milan on Sunday was suspended after Edoardo Bove collapsed in the 15th minute due to a medical emergency. He is stable now but is under medical observation.
The Azzurri saw their unbeaten streak ended after three games last week, as they suffered a 3-0 away loss to AC Milan in Serie A. They failed to score for the first time in four games and will look to return to goalscoring ways here.
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Fiorentina vs Empoli Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two local rivals have squared off 35 times in all competitions. The hosts have the upper hand in these meetings with 16 wins. The Azzurri have eight wins and 11 games have ended in draws.
- The last six meetings between them have produced under 2.5 goals, with three clean sheets for either side.
- They last met in Serie A in September, with that meeting ending in a goalless draw.
- The visitors are unbeaten in their last five meetings against the Viola, though four games have ended in draws.
- Fiorentina have an unbeaten home record across all competitions this season, recording six consecutive wins.
- Empoli have just one win in their last nine away games across all competitions, with six games producing under 2.5 goals.
- The two teams have met six times in the Coppa Italia. The hosts have been the better side in these meetings, recording five wins.
Fiorentina vs Empoli Prediction
The Viola are unbeaten in their last 16 competitive home games. They have registered six consecutive wins at home, scoring 17 goals in these games, and are strong favorites. Interestingly, they are winless in their last two home games in this fixture, scoring once while conceding three goals.
Edoardo Bove is a confirmed absentee. Albert Guðmundsson might get the nod to start here. Christian Kouamé is expected to lead the lineup.
Empoli have seen a drop in form recently, and are winless in their last three games, scoring two goals while conceding five times. They are winless in their last four away games, suffering two losses. They have kept three clean sheets in their last five games in this fixture and will look to build on that form.
Jacopo Seghetti was between the sticks in the second-round match against Torino and should retain his place in the starting XI for this match. Luca Marianucci is also expected to start in the defense.
While the visitors have a better recent record in this fixture, the Viola have enjoyed a six-game winning streak at home and should be able to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Fiorentina 2-1 Empoli
Fiorentina vs Empoli Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Fiorentina to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Both teams to score - Yes
