- Empoli and Venezia have drawn their last two head-to-head meetings, including 1-1 in Serie A last season in Venezia.
- Empoli are unbeaten at home in Serie B 2025-2026 (W1, D3 from 4).
Differing styles in Serie B relegation battlers
Two Serie B teams, who have started the season in opposite directions, clash at Stadio Carlo Castellani on Sunday with Empoli currently 12th with 9 points from seven games and Venezia 4th with 12 from the same number of matches. Our Empoli vs SSC Venezia prediction is influenced by the fact that Empoli are available at 2.88 for Sunday’s match and, as slight underdogs, are behind Venezia, who are the more tempting option at 2.55.
Guido Pagliuca took over as Empoli head coach in June 2025 and has adopted a structure-first approach to the game that has resulted in a compact and pragmatic back three when they are out of possession, but also a 4-4-2 system that is open to change when they have the ball. He demands that his players are solid in duels first and foremost and are able to switch between his tactical shapes in order to keep things compact.
Giovanni Stroppa has taken Venezia in the other direction since coming in at the start of July, installing a dynamic three-at-the-back system that relies on the pace and width of his wing-backs. Venezia press high up the field and look to create overloads in the wide areas, so it should be a fascinating matchup on the wings on Sunday. This Empoli vs SSC Venezia preview highlights the tactical battle that will take place in wide positions and how each coach's philosophy could shape the game's tempo.
Venezia worth a small wager to beat Empoli
Stroppa’s more proactive and transition-based approach has been easy on the eye and his team have responded well to his instructions, pushing Venezia up the Serie B standings. The Empoli vs SSC Venezia prediction accounts for the fact that Venezia have drawn both of their last two away games in Serie B and have not lost in three away matches this term.
Empoli have not lost at home in Serie B 2025-2026, recording one win and three draws, while Venezia have not lost away all season. Empoli drew 1-1 with SSD Monza 1912 at home before winning 2-1 away at FC Sudtirol Bolzano in their last two games, while Venezia drew 0-0 away at Palermo before going back to winning ways with a 3-0 win at home to Frosinone.
Both teams have kept things tight at the back so far and have played out several games where the winner has been hard to find, so a low-scoring draw or narrow Venezia win looks the most likely outcome on the night. For those looking for Empoli vs SSC Venezia betting tips, note that Venezia average only 0.67 goals per away game in Serie B, so it is tough to see them scoring more than once against an organised Empoli side.
Low-scoring clash expected
Given the lack of goals in both sides this campaign, the Under 2.5 goals market at 1.62 looks well-supported here, although a Venezia double chance bet is preferred. This Empoli vs SSC Venezia prediction is supported by the fact that Empoli have scored seven goals in four home games, so they are not exactly rampant on home turf either.
Bohdan Popov, who has scored four goals in six Serie B games, is Empoli’s biggest threat, but Venezia have their own marksman in Andrea Adorante, who has also hit two goals in six Serie B appearances.
Stiven Shpendi has chipped in with two more in Empoli’s last five games and should add a spark to the attack on Sunday, but it is unlikely to be a high-scoring affair regardless of the outcome.
