Inter – Empoli

Empoli will put up a fight against a tired Inter

Inter have played five games since the start of the year. The last of them was the Italian Super Cup. In the Saudi Arabian capital, Simone Inzaghi's side were able to beat Milan 0-3 confidently. Four days earlier, they had beaten Verona in the league, and four days before that, they knocked Parma out of the Italian Cup in extra-time. Before that, there was a 2-2 draw with Monza on 7 January and a narrow win over Napoli on 4 January. Despite the Nerazzurri's success in the majority of their games, it's obvious that their tight schedule can take its toll on the players' form. Especially considering the flights to the Italian Super Cup match. It is also worth noting that, in many statistical terms, Inter are overperforming in home games. Simone Inzaghi's side have scored 4.07 goals more than they should have on xG, conceded 1.7 less on xGA, and converted 3.9 points on xPTS. Empoli are performing well in a much less busy schedule. "The Azzurri have managed to share points with Udinese and Lazio this year, as well as beating Sampdoria. Francesco Caputo, who arrived in the winter transfer window, was one of the creators of the team's success. The forward has already scored a goal and an assist. It is worth noting that Tuscan have conceded just 22 goals in 18 rounds. For example, Inter Milan and Atalanta conceded 24, Atalanta 20 and the pragmatic Torino Juric. The good performances allow Empoli to occupy quite a comfortable place in the standings. With five wins and seven draws, the team are 12th on the table and have 22 points on their books. Paolo Zanetti's side generally underperformed the leaders, but suffered only one defeat (4-0 at the hands of Juventus). In this meeting, the Azzurri's main advantage over their opponents will be an easy schedule and a lack of fatigue. Five days after this game, the Snakes will face Cremonese and eight days after that, they will play Atalanta in the cup. Inter have not beaten Empoli by more than two goals in the last decade. Given the Serpents' current form, that trend is unlikely to change now.