Juventus vs. Empoli | Serie A | Pre Match

After back-to-back defeats, Juventus will seek an end to their three-game winless streak on Sunday, when they welcome Serie A strugglers Empoli to Turin. With aspirations of staying in the race for a top-four finish, the Bianconeri must secure maximum points, while their ailing visitors aim to claw their way out of the relegation scrap.

The Bianconeri recently followed their first league loss of the season with another setback in Europe, adding to concerns about their form. A frustrating 2-1 defeat to league leaders Napoli, now coached by Juve legend Antonio Conte, was compounded by a lackluster performance in the Champions League. That European disappointment came on Wednesday, when Juventus hosted Benfica in the final match of the chaotic league-phase format. Despite already confirming their place in the knockout rounds, Juve still had an opportunity to secure a more favorable draw by finishing in the top eight. However, a chastening 2-0 defeat saw them slip to 20th in the overall standings, meaning a potentially treacherous path awaits in the next phase of the competition.

Domestically, Juventus' struggles have been evident in recent weeks. Thiago Motta's side has won only eight of their 22 league matches this season, a tally that puts them in an unenviable position compared to their usual high standards. Their inconsistent performances have resulted in crucial points being dropped, leaving them in fifth place in the standings. A concerning statistic for Juve supporters is that the team has let 17 points slip through their fingers this season—an issue that could prove costly in the hunt for a Champions League spot.

Motta, still trying to stamp his authority on the squad, has the third-lowest win percentage of any permanent manager in Juventus' history. His tenure has been marked by tactical inconsistencies, and the club’s recent struggles have put him under mounting pressure to deliver results. The last time Juventus recorded so few victories at this stage of a Serie A season was back in 1988, a sobering statistic for the Bianconeri faithful who are used to watching their team compete for the Scudetto year after year.

Despite their struggles, Juventus remain the only unbeaten team at home in the Italian top flight this season. Their impressive home record has been a rare bright spot, and they will be determined to maintain it against Empoli. Historically, Juve has dominated this fixture, winning 80% of their home league games against Empoli. Given their need for three points, anything less than a victory would be considered a major setback.

However, Empoli will have other plans. The Azzurri have managed to hold Juventus to draws in their last two meetings, including a goalless stalemate in September’s reverse fixture. They have also defied the odds in recent encounters, losing just once in their last four clashes with the Bianconeri, a significant improvement after suffering defeat in 10 of the previous 11 meetings.

Empoli's campaign has been one of ups and downs. Last week, they managed a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bologna at the Stadio Castellani, with Lorenzo Colombo’s early strike being canceled out just before halftime. While a point against a top-half side is commendable, Empoli’s broader form remains a serious concern. They are winless in their last seven Serie A matches, managing just 0.3 points per game during that spell—a stark contrast to their average of 1.3 points per match in the first 15 fixtures of the season.

The most alarming statistic for Empoli is their dismal home record. They have secured just one victory at the Castellani this season, collecting a meager eight points from home fixtures. That dreadful home form has left them teetering above the relegation zone, making each match a must-win as they battle for survival. Encouragingly, Empoli has performed much better on the road, offering them a glimmer of hope ahead of their trip to Turin.

Juventus could receive a boost ahead of Sunday’s clash with the potential return of Andrea Cambiaso. The subject of much speculation over a possible winter move to the Premier League, Cambiaso missed the midweek defeat to Benfica due to an ankle problem. However, he is expected to be fit enough to rejoin the squad for this crucial encounter. On the defensive front, Juventus will be without first-choice center-back Pierre Kalulu, who has been sidelined with a muscular injury. This could force Motta to make tactical adjustments, with either new signing Renato Veiga or midfielder Manuel Locatelli likely to fill the gap in the backline.

One of the biggest decisions facing Motta will be his attacking lineup. After scoring against Napoli, new arrival Randal Kolo Muani was ineligible for the Champions League clash against Benfica. Now available for selection, the French striker has a golden opportunity to make an instant impact in Serie A. If he scores against Empoli, he will become the first Juventus player to find the net in his first two league appearances since Carlos Tevez achieved the feat in 2013. Kolo Muani’s inclusion could come at the expense of top scorer Dusan Vlahovic, who may start from the bench as Motta looks to rotate his attacking options.

For Empoli, their main attacking threat comes from Sebastiano Esposito. The talented forward has been in fine form away from home, finding the net in each of his last four away appearances. His ability to stretch defenses and exploit spaces will be crucial for Empoli if they hope to cause an upset against Juventus. However, their attacking options will be somewhat depleted, as they remain without several key players.

Empoli will be missing Ola Solbakken, who joins long-term absentees Pietro Pellegri, Nicolas Haas, Saba Sazonov, and Tyronne Ebuehi on the injury list. Additionally, head coach Davide Nicola will have to deal with suspensions. Alberto Grassi and Giuseppe Pezzella are both unavailable after picking up yellow cards in their last outing, further limiting Nicola’s tactical flexibility. To make matters worse, key defender Mattia Viti is struggling with an adductor issue, leaving Empoli’s defensive line vulnerable against a Juventus side desperate to get back to winning ways.

With both teams having contrasting objectives, the match promises to be an intriguing battle. Juventus will be looking to capitalize on their dominant home record and reignite their push for a top-four finish. Empoli, on the other hand, will be hoping to frustrate their hosts and secure an invaluable point in their fight for survival.

As the pressure mounts on Thiago Motta, securing a convincing win over Empoli would help ease growing concerns over Juventus’ trajectory. For Empoli, any positive result would be a massive boost in their battle against relegation. The stage is set for an intense clash in Turin, where Juventus’ determination to return to winning ways will be tested against a resilient and hungry Empoli side.