- Empoli have won four, drawn two and lost ten of their 16 away Serie B games in 2025/2026
- Padova have won three, drawn seven and lost six of their 16 home Serie B matches in 2025/2026
- Stiven Shpendi has scored 13 goals in 30 Serie B appearances for Empoli in 2025-26, scoring three in his last five
Contrasting styles on display in crunch Serie B clash
Empoli’s style of play has changed significantly since Fabio Caserta took over as head coach in March 2026. Caserta has increased the tempo and intensity of the team’s performances in recent months while making them a more direct team.
Empoli are a better side now than they were when they were patiently playing the ball around and trying to dominate possession. The Padova vs Empoli preview shows Caserta’s team have played with much more tempo, trying to flood the wide areas and transition quickly. Stiven Shpendi has been in good form, netting 13 goals in 30 Serie B fixtures, of which three have come in his last five appearances.
Empoli are in 14th place with 36 points from 33 games, one place and one point ahead of Padova, who are 15th on 34. Both clubs have hit lean spells and need a big win in this matchup to help their fortunes in the closing weeks of the season; our Padova vs Empoli prediction is that this could be a crucial turning point for both teams.
Empoli have more about them in the right areas
Roberto Breda has been Padova’s coach since March 2026 and has not had the same success as his opposite number in getting them to perform. Padova’s home form has been particularly disappointing with back-to-back defeats.
Empoli have not won in their last three on the road, with one draw and two defeats. Empoli won 3-1 when these two sides met in Serie B seven months ago and have a slight edge in all areas of the pitch.
This Padova vs Empoli prediction takes into account that Padova have a more solid and compact set-up with a flexible system that borrows elements of a 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 formation. They press high and are able to play on the counter attack quickly with Mattia Bortolussi, their focal point in attack, a threat with nine goals in 28 Serie B outings.
Shpendi and Bortolussi can both play their part
A 2.28 odds on an away win is worth taking given how much more Empoli have about them in all positions. The Padova vs Empoli betting tips therefore lean toward Empoli getting a result. Backing over 2.5 goals at 2.1 is a sure bet for this clash of two clubs in need of the points and both teams to score at 1.8 seems a good play with Padova having scored 18 times at home while Empoli’s defence has shipped 28 times in 16 away games.
