Holding a slim lead at the top of the Serie A table, Juventus look to continue their furious second-half title charge as they host Empoli in Italian top-flight action on Saturday.
Since a 4-2 defeat to Sassuolo in late September, Juve have picked up 42 of a possible 46 points from their last 16 league games, including a current five-match winning streak in which they've outscored opponents a combined 11-2.
They sit a point above Inter at the top of the table, although they have played one more game than the aforementioned challengers. Yet with Juventus banned from European competition this season and able to focus solely on domestic competitions, they have flourished.
Empoli are at the other end of the table, sitting 19th as they contest a crowded and furious relegation battle. A comprehensive 3-0 win last time out against Monza provided a big boost, moving them two points from safety, but it will take far more over the next few months to keep them contesting top-flight football next season.
USA: Click here to see the latest odds for Juventus vs Empoli and bet on Serie A matches
Juventus vs Empoli prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Juventus (-370)
- Score prediction: Juventus 2-0 Empoli
The win over Monza last time out was nice and afforded Empoli a foundation upon which to build their relegation battle, but it was not the type of blowout performance that indicated they may provide an upset threat to one of Italy's two title challengers.
Juventus are in simply too good of form, especially up front, to keep a lid on this match, especially for one of Serie A's most porous defensive units. And while Empoli have conceded 35 goals in 21 matches this year, fifth-most in the league, their poor finishing has them with a league-low 14 goals on the year. It's not a recipe for success against a defensively stout and in-form side like Juve.
| DraftKings (USA) |
|
| Juventus win | -370 |
| Draw | +425 |
| Empoli win | +850 |
| Both teams to score Y/N |
+140 / -180 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
-125 / -115 |
| Juventus -1.5 goals |
-105 |
| Empoli +1.5 goals |
-120 |
Juventus vs Empoli match facts
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 6 p.m. local (12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT)
- Location: Allianz Stadium (Turin, Italy)
- Referee: Livio Marinelli
- Last meeting: Empoli 0-2 Juventus (Sep. 3, 2023 | Serie A)
Juventus vs Empoli: best bet
- Pick: Second half over 1.5 total goals
- Odds: +100 (DraftKings)
- Pick: Goal scored in interval 75'-FT — YES
- Odds: -105 (DraftKings)
Juventus loves tacking on late goals to games already wrapped up, while Empoli is adept at conceding such chances. Juve have a goal in the 75th minute or later in four of their last five matches, while Empoli have conceded 14 goals in that 15-minute interval, the joint-most of any Serie A side.
Even between these two clubs, Juve has scored in the 75th minute or later in each of the last three matchups, including Federico Chiesa's 82nd-minute consolation in a 4-1 upset by Empoli last May. Even if Empoli keep a lid on the match through the opening stages of the game, Juve are enjoying their football and should find something down the stretch, regardless of whether the game is in hand or still in the balance.
Juventus vs Empoli prop bet
- Pick: Weston McKennie to score or assist a goal
- Odds: +100 (FanDuel)
Weston McKennie is officially en fuego. The American midfielder has come to life in the last two months for Juventus, grabbing four assists in his last five appearances for the club across all competitions as Dusan Vlahovic and young upstart Kenan Yildiz have begun to find their shooting boots after a slow start.
Even more than his creative contributions, however, McKennie is beyond overdue for a goal. He has, somehow, yet to score this season, despite 2.95 xG on the year in league play, 2.03 of which has come in the last four Serie A matches. It appeared he had finally found the net in their last game, a 3-0 win over Lecce, but Vlahovic stole the goal with a needless touch on the line to nod the ball in.
You can get McKennie at +450 to score, which is excellent value, but given his streak of creativity, we'll stick with the more muted selection still sporting solid profitability.
Juventus vs Empoli live stream, TV channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | — | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo |
| Canada | — | Fubo Canada |
| UK | TNT Sports 2 | discovery+ |
Juventus vs. Empoli is available to stream on Paramount+ which offers a free trial. In Canada, you can watch the game on Fubo and in the UK the game will be available on Discovery+.
