Como Vs Empoli

Cesc Fabregas's Como will be aiming to extend their positive run and further distance themselves from the looming threat of relegation in Serie A when they welcome Empoli to Northern Italy this Saturday. While the Lariani appear to be steadily climbing toward safety, Empoli find themselves in a perilous position, with a poor run of form in 2025 pushing them dangerously close to the drop zone.

Despite experiencing some recent setbacks, Como’s overall trajectory this season has been encouraging. Their relegation concerns have gradually eased, even though they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against AC Milan at San Siro just before the international break. That loss, coupled with a home draw against Venezia the previous week, momentarily halted their momentum. However, they still find themselves in a relatively secure 13th position in the league standings, maintaining a seven-point cushion above the relegation zone.

As the season enters its critical final stretch, Como benefit from a fixture list that appears favorable on paper. Eight of their last nine matches are against teams occupying the bottom half of the Serie A table, with the only exception being their season-ending clash against title-challengers Inter Milan. While this scheduling advantage does not guarantee positive results, Como have shown an ability to perform well against tough opponents this year. Their victories over Napoli and Fiorentina serve as testament to their capability to compete at a high level when required.

The team’s home form has also been a key factor in their recent success. Over their last eight fixtures at the Sinigaglia, Como have secured 13 points, a tally that would place them among the top six teams in the league during that period. Their attacking output has been particularly impressive, with only Bologna and Roma managing to outscore them in that timeframe. This offensive prowess has been fueled by the significant financial investments made in the club over the past year, an initiative that has begun to yield visible dividends.

A crucial aspect of Como’s recent performances has been their attacking consistency. The team has managed to find the back of the net in six consecutive Serie A matches, a feat they had not accomplished since 1951. While this highlights their strength in the final third, it also underscores the ongoing challenge of maintaining balance between offense and defense. Defensive frailties have remained a concern, as evidenced by their inability to keep a clean sheet in any of their last six home fixtures. This defensive vulnerability explains why, despite their impressive attacking displays, the shadow of relegation has not been completely dispelled.

On the other side of the pitch, Empoli approach this contest with a mixture of desperation and faint hope. While their overall campaign has been fraught with struggles, they do have one reason to be optimistic—they emerged victorious in the reverse fixture against Como, securing what remains their only home league win of the season.

However, that solitary victory has done little to mask the reality of Empoli’s current predicament. The Azzurri Empolesi are facing the very real prospect of dropping back into Serie B after nearly five years in the top flight. A dismal run of 14 consecutive league matches without a win has left them entrenched in the relegation battle. Among teams in Europe’s top five leagues, only Reims have endured a longer winless streak. To make matters worse, Empoli have not even been able to salvage many draws during this spell—11 of those 14 games have ended in defeat, amplifying their woes.

The sharp decline in form has been particularly alarming given their relatively solid start to the season. After collecting 19 points from their opening 15 games, there was cautious optimism among supporters that the team could push toward a mid-table finish. However, since the turn of the year, Empoli’s fortunes have nosedived dramatically, leaving them languishing three points adrift of safety. Their struggles in attack have been particularly glaring; with just 23 goals scored so far this season, they possess one of the least potent offenses in the league. This lack of firepower has significantly hampered their ability to claw their way out of danger.

Despite their poor league form, Empoli have found some solace in their performances away from home. Three of their four victories this season have come on the road, highlighting a surprising resilience when playing outside of their home stadium. Additionally, they managed to pull off a shock victory over Juventus in the Coppa Italia at the end of February, setting up a two-legged semi-final clash with Bologna, which will commence in midweek. While their cup exploits have provided brief moments of joy, they have done little to alleviate the looming specter of relegation.

The upcoming fixture against Como presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Empoli. On one hand, they have the psychological advantage of having defeated their opponents earlier in the season. On the other hand, they must contend with Como’s strong home record and attacking threat. If Empoli are to secure a much-needed victory, they will need to find a way to tighten up defensively while simultaneously improving their attacking output—two areas that have plagued them throughout the campaign.

For Como, this match represents a chance to take another significant step toward safety. A victory would further solidify their mid-table standing and move them closer to securing their Serie A status for another season. Given their offensive form and home advantage, they will enter the game as favorites, but they cannot afford complacency. Defensive lapses have cost them points in recent matches, and they will need to be disciplined at the back to avoid giving Empoli any openings.

As the match approaches, the contrasting narratives surrounding these two teams set the stage for an intriguing encounter. Como, riding a wave of cautious optimism, will look to continue their upward trajectory and confirm their place in the top tier for another season. Empoli, on the other hand, are battling for survival and will be desperate to end their winless streak before time runs out.

With both sides having much at stake, the outcome of this clash could have significant ramifications in the relegation battle. A win for Como would provide them with even greater breathing room, while a defeat for Empoli would deepen their crisis and push them closer to an unwanted return to Serie B. As the players take to the field on Saturday, the pressure will be immense, and only one team will emerge with their immediate future looking brighter.