Empoli – Struggle for Survival Continues
Empoli enters this match in a desperate fight to avoid relegation, as their recent form has been anything but promising. The Tuscan club has failed to win a single match in 2025 and currently sits just one point above the relegation zone. Their last encounter resulted in a heavy 4-1 defeat against Juventus, despite taking an early lead through Mattia De Sciglio and initially being awarded a penalty, which was later overturned by VAR.
Their defensive fragility has been a significant issue, as they have conceded the most goals (18) in the last eight Serie A matchdays. Additionally, their attack has been ineffective, as they have failed to score in their last four encounters with AC Milan. Their poor home record further diminishes their chances, as Empoli has secured only one league win at Stadio Castellani all season, netting just five goals in the process.
Coach Roberto D’Aversa faces further challenges with a long injury list. Several key players, including Ola Solbakken, Pietro Pellegri, and Nicolas Haas, remain sidelined, while Tino Anjorin, Jacopo Fazzini, and Ardian Ismajli are all questionable. The return of Mattia Viti from injury and the reinstatement of Alberto Grassi and Giuseppe Pezzella after suspension offer some hope, but Youssef Maleh will miss the match due to a red card suspension.
The main attacking threat will come from Lorenzo Colombo, who is on loan from Milan and has scored five goals this season. He will likely partner with Sebastiano Esposito up front, but their ability to break through Milan’s defense remains questionable.
AC Milan – Fighting for European Spots
AC Milan enters this match following a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Roma in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, which secured them a semi-final clash against either Inter Milan or Lazio. That win came just days after a tense Milan Derby, where they were moments away from another victory before conceding a late equalizer.
Despite this, Milan remains far behind Inter in the Serie A standings and must focus on securing European qualification amid an inconsistent campaign. Manager Sergio Conceicao has attempted to tighten the defense, but Milan has conceded at least one goal in each of their last six league matches after previously keeping four clean sheets in five games.
Away form is also a concern, as Milan has lost their last two road games—against Juventus and Dinamo Zagreb—adding pressure to claim all three points against a struggling Empoli side.
New signings Joao Felix and Santiago Gimenez are expected to play a more prominent role after impressing off the bench in midweek. Gimenez, who scored 65 goals in 105 matches for Feyenoord, will compete with Tammy Abraham for a starting spot following Alvaro Morata’s mid-season departure. Other recent arrivals, such as Riccardo Sottil and Warren Bondo, could also feature. However, Milan will be without Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Emerson Royal, and Alessandro Florenzi due to injuries.
Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, and Tijjani Reijnders will be key figures in Milan’s attacking setup, while the defense, led by Fikayo Tomori and Theo Hernandez, will aim for a more stable performance.
Betting Prediction
Considering Empoli’s dire form and Milan’s attacking firepower, the visitors are clear favorites to take all three points. Empoli’s struggles at home, their inability to score against Milan in recent meetings, and their defensive vulnerabilities make this a prime opportunity for Milan to bounce back from their recent away defeats.
Best Betting Picks:
- AC Milan to Win – Given the quality difference and Empoli’s poor record against Milan, an away victory is the most logical bet.
- Under 2.5 Goals – Milan may control the match but could opt for a conservative approach, considering their upcoming European fixtures.
- Santiago Gimenez to Score Anytime – The new signing will be eager to impress, and against a weak Empoli defense, he has a strong chance of finding the net.
Milan should secure the win, but if Empoli puts up a fight, it could be a closer match than expected.
