Form and context

Empoli host Vicenza Virtus on Friday evening at the Carlo Castellani Computer Gross Arena in the opening match of Serie B's eighth round. Empoli drew 1-1 at Ascoli last time out in all competitions, while Vicenza Virtus also drew 2-2 at Benevento. The visitors have conceded three or more goals in two of their last five matches in all competitions.

Team news

• Empoli: Gerard Yepes is at serious risk of missing out after tests confirmed a sprained right ankle, and he will be assessed day by day. Distefano, Romagnoli and Monaco have been training separately but could be available. Lapo Deli or Duccio Degli Innocenti are the options to replace Yepes, and Egan could return to the starting XI on the right.
• Vicenza Virtus: No confirmed team news yet.

What the numbers say

• Empoli have averaged 1.1 goals scored and 1.4 conceded across their last 10 matches in all competitions.
• Vicenza Virtus have averaged 1.25 goals scored and 2 conceded across their last 8 matches in all competitions.
• Empoli have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions (Carrarese 0-1 Empoli).
• Vicenza Virtus are without a win in their last five matches in all competitions, drawing three of them.

Our view

Empoli's recent run in all competitions has been poor, but Vicenza Virtus arrive with an even weaker sequence of results and a defence that has leaked goals. The main question is whether Empoli can cope without Yepes in midfield, with his replacement still to be decided.

Most likely outcome: home win - Vicenza Virtus have conceded two goals per game on average in their recent matches in all competitions.