Roma vs Empoli

Roma will try to rebound at home in week 30 when they play host to the struggling Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma suffered a demoralizing loss in the Roma derby, while Empoli were held to a draw at home by the mighty Juve and need points by any means necessary at this late stage in the campaign.

Roma are in 2^nd place of the Serie A table with 61 points. Roma sit 7 points behind league leaders Inter Milan, and 6 up on 3^rd place Juventus. Their last match saw them lose to SS Lazio by a score of 3-2 and instead of moving to within 4 points of Inter who lost; they lost a point and fell 7 behind. Now, given how Inter Milan have played this season, the giallorossi must pretty much win all of their remaining matches to have realistic chance of catching them. The disheartening loss also snapped Roma’s 3match win streak. This week manager Spalletti will be missing Mexes and Aquilani as they are out suspended. Ferrari and Panucci will start at the back.

Empoli were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Juventus and their fixture list doesn’t get any easier this week away to Roma. The side managed by Malesani are in 19^th place of the Serie A table with 26 points. They are just behind 18^th place Reggina on goal difference and just 2 points up on last place Cagliari. If the season were to end today they would be making the drop to the Serie B. Their draw to Juve snapped their losing streak at 4 matches but extended their winless run to 5. Empoli have scored just 2 goals over those 5 games. Mchedlidze, Pozzi and Adani are out injured while Saudati will be serving the 2^nd match of a 3 game suspension. Vannucchi and Volpato are set to start in attack.

Empoli look to be in a lot of trouble this week. Not only are they facing their 2^nd major European force in 4 days, but they are having trouble scoring and that makes a victory away from home even more unlikely at this time. Meanwhile, Roma will be extra focused and mad after what transpired in the derby and will be looking to repay their supporters with a strong effort at home. Look for Roma to win this one going away.

Prediction: Roma (2-0)