After the Coppa Italia round of 16 fixtures in midweek, Serie A action returns over the weekend as Venezia host Empoli at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium on Sunday.Venezia suffered a 2-0 defeat against Atalanta in their Coppa Italia fixture on Wednesday, which was a third straight loss for them across all competitions. They suffered a 3-0 loss at AC Milan in their previous league fixture last Sunday.Empoli have drawn Inter Milan as their opponents in the cup competition and will face the league leaders next week. In their previous league outing, they were hammered 5-1 at home by Sassuolo and will be hoping to return to winning ways here.Lega Serie A@SerieA_EN Matchday in, here is the #SerieA league table. #WeAreCalcio3:47 AM · Jan 12, 202282112️⃣1️⃣ Matchday in, here is the #SerieA💎 league table. #WeAreCalcio https://t.co/WpQuHTw9ZSVenezia vs Empoli Head-to-HeadThe first meeting between the two sides dates back to 1948, but they have met just 23 times since, with just three games in Serie A. The fixture has been closely contested between the two sides, with the hosts having a slight 9-7 advantage in wins while seven games have ended in draws.They last met at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in league action in September, with Venezia recording a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture.Venezia form guide (all competitions): L-L-L-D-WEmpoli form guide (all competitions): L-D-L-D-WVenezia vs Empoli Team NewsVenezia Paolo Zanetti has a full-strength squad for the game except for Tyronne Ebuehi as he is on national duty with Nigeria at the ongoing AFCON. Michael Svoboda's suspension in the previous league game will keep him out of the game.Injured: NoneSuspended: Michael SvobodaUnavailable (International duty - AFCON): Tyronne EbuehiEmpoli Nicolas Haas is a long-term absentee on account of a serious knee injury while Fabiano Parisi is a doubt for this game on account of a thigh injury.Federico Di Francesco became the latest name on the injury list as he was taken off the pitch against Sassuolo with a hamstring issue. Thanks to his sending off in the game against Sassuolo, Mattia Viti will miss the game.Empoli Fc Official@EmpoliCalcio📸📸📸📸 Doppia seduta per gli azzurri al Sussidiario; domani pomeriggio di nuovo in campo verso la sfida contro il Venezia11:08 AM · Jan 12, 202251📸📸📸📸 Doppia seduta per gli azzurri al Sussidiario; domani pomeriggio di nuovo in campo verso la sfida contro il Venezia https://t.co/feCkRYDPDhInjured: Nicolas Haas, Fabiano Parisi, Federico Di FrancescoDoubtful: Simone RomagnoliSuspended: Mattia VitiVenezia vs Empoli Predicted XIVenezia Predicted XI (4-3-2-1): Sergio Romero; Ridgeciano Haps, Pietro Ceccaroni, Cristian Molinaro, Pasquale Mazzocchi; Ethan Ampadu, Michael Cuisance, Gianluca Busio; David Okereke, Mattia Aramu, Thomas HenryEmpoli Predicted XI (4-3-1-2): Guglielmo Vicario; Riccardo Marchizza, Sebastiano Luperto, Ardian Ismajli, Petar Stojanovic; Szymon Zurkowski, Liam Henderson, Samuele Ricci; Nedim Bajrami; Andrea Pinamonti, Patrick CutroneVenezia vs Empoli PredictionVenezia are winless in their last seven games across all competitions while Empoli have one of the best away records in the league. Five of their eight wins have come in their travels. So, while the game is expected to be a close one, Gli Azzurri should take home the three points here.Prediction: Venezia 1-2 Empoli