Round 35's action in Serie A concludes with Monday night's encounter between Sampdoria and Empoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

The hosts will not compete in next year's competition following their relegation, while their opponents are close to ensuring top-flight safety.

Match preview

Samp's survival hopes were slim, and last season's 15th-placed side could not beat the drop this time, as they sit rock bottom in the standings.

The 1992 European Cup finalists were struggling when Dejan Stankovic replaced Marco Giampaolo last October — winless in their opening eight Serie A games, drawing two — and the former Inter Milan midfielder could not instigate a turnaround.

Picking up four points in his first three games suggested a corner could be turned, but the 1-0 victory at Cremonese in late October was Samp's only win before the turn of the year.

A win at Sassuolo offered hope, even if it amounted to little, as Stankovic's men were to pick up one more victory — a 3-1 success over Hellas Verona in March — before their demotion was ratified after Monday's defeat by Udinese, ending an 11-year run in Serie A.

They seek only their second home win of the campaign when they welcome Monday's visitors to the Marassi.

Empoli, for their part, flirted with relegation at some point this season, but a two-game winning run looks to have secured their participation in the 2023-24 season.

Although, it must be noted that the Azzurri never slipped below 16th this term and have switched between 14th and 15th since the start of March.

Wins over Bologna and Salernitana mean they need one point to guarantee safety in 2022-23, with 11 points separating them from 18th-placed Spezia with four games remaining.

Paolo Zanetti's men are winless on their travels since January's stunning 1-0 triumph over Inter at San Siro, picking up three points from a possible 21 away from home in three months.

They are nearing guaranteeing a third consecutive year in Serie A, and matching Spezia's result in round 35 would seal the deal.

Team News

Tomas Rincon's suspension means Michael Cuisance could partner Harry Winks in central midfield for Sampdoria.

The relegated side will be without Daniele Montevago, who has joined the Italy Under-20 side for the upcoming World Cup.

Ignacio Pussetto and Andrea Conti — injured since November 2022 — are out for the season, while Emil Audero and Mehdi Leris are sidelined.

Koni De Winter has been injured since mid-April, and the Empoli centre-back is unlikely to feature at the Marassi.

Tommaso Baldanzi and Gabriele Guarino have also been invited to the national team for the imminent Under-20 World Cup.

Sampdoria possible starting lineup:
Ravaglia; Gunter, Nuytinck, Amione; Zanoli, Winks, Cuisance, Augello; Djuricic; Jese, Gabbiadini

Empoli possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Ebuehi, Walukiewicz, Luperto, Parisi; Akpro, Marin, Bandinelli; Henderson; Caputo, Cambiaghi

We say: Sampdoria 1-1 Empoli

This is tough to call due to Samp's poor goalscoring form at the Marassi, where nine goals rank as the worst in the division, and Empoli's 13 road goals better three teams in Serie A.

Monday's game should be low-scoring, with both teams cancelling each other out.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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