Match Preview - 19:45 Kick-Off at Stadio Olimpico, Rome

2nd place Roma welcome 17th placed Empoli to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday and the sides have contrasting ambitions heading into the final weeks of the season. Luciano Spalletti’s Roma side have their sights firmly set on Champions League qualification, while Empoli battle against relegation.

Roma are a win or lose team right now and they haven’t drawn a league fixture for a staggering 18 games. Interestingly, their last draw came in the reverse fixture against Empoli when the teams drew 0-0 at the end of October. Roma are unbeaten in their last 7 Serie A games against Empoli, winning 4 and drawing 3 of those clashes.

Roma games usually come with a guarantee of goals – they have scored in each of their last 12 league games, only league leaders and current champions Juventus are on a longer goalscoring run (20 games). Empoli are on a horrendous run of form, losing 7 of their last 8 league fixtures. Their performances have seen them slip down the Serie A table and though they have a 7 point cushion between themselves and the relegation places, manager Giovanni Martusciello will be looking over his shoulder anxiously. An away trip to Roma isn’t exactly an ideal fixture to stop the rot.

Roma’s recent results:

Mar 19th 2017 Roma 3:1 Sassuolo - Serie A

Mar 16th 2017 Roma 2:1 Lyon - Europa League

Mar 12th 2017 Palermo 0:3 Roma - Serie A

Mar 9th 2017 Lyon 4:2 Roma - Europa League

Empoli’s recent results:

Mar 19th 2017 Empoli 2:3 Napoli - Serie A

Mar 12th 2017 Chievo 4:0 Empoli - Serie A

Mar 5th 2017 Empoli 0:2 Genoa - Serie A

Feb 25th 2017 Juventus 2:0 Empoli - Serie A

Odds

Roma 1/6

Empoli 14/1

Draw 6/1

(Odds taken from Bet365)

Roma v Empoli Predictions

When you see the home side given odds of 1/6 to win, then you know you are in for a seriously one-sided contest. Empoli’s appalling recent form means that a win for the away side would be a miracle. Roma’s forwards will see this as an opportunity to fill their boots. If Dzeko and co. start quickly and with the right attitude then there should be plenty of goals in this for Roma.

While dabbling in the outright betting markets for this likely miss-match would probably be a waste of time, there is value to be found elsewhere. Bet365’s odds of 10/11 for Roma to win to nil is a fantastic chance to almost double your stake. Elsewhere William Hill’s odds of 11/5 for both teams NOT to score and over 2.5 goals is hard to turn down.

Our Tips

Roma to win to nil 10/11 Bet365

Both teams NOT to score and over 2.5 goals 11/5 William Hill