AC Milan are looking to steady the ship after a rollercoaster run across competitions as they take on Empoli in the Serie A on Saturday.
Fresh off a Coppa Italia semi-final berth, the Rossoneri must now refocus on the league, where their top-four hopes are hanging by a thread. With nine wins in their 22 matches so far, Milan are currently eighth on the Serie A table.
Empoli, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of 2025. Their 4-1 defeat to Juventus only highlighted their struggles, with defensive collapses and wasted opportunities piling up.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Empoli vs. AC Milan live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Serie A match in the U.S.:
TV channel: —
Live stream: Paramount+
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the United States. Streaming options are available on Paramount+, which is currently offering a FREE trial for new subscribers.
What time does Empoli vs. AC Milan kick off?
This Serie A clash takes place at the Carlo Castellani Stadium in Empoli, Italy and kicks off on Saturday, February 8 at 6:00 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sat, Feb. 8 | 12:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sat, Feb. 8 | 11:00 a.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sat, Feb. 8 | 10:00 a.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sat, Feb. 8 | 9:00 a.m. |
Empoli vs. AC Milan lineups, team news
Empoli’s injury woes continue, with Ola Solbakken, Pietro Pellegri, Nicolas Haas, Saba Sazonov, and Tyronne Ebuehi all set to miss this clash. Tino Anjorin, Jacopo Fazzini, and Ardian Ismajli are doubtful, though Mattia Viti has returned to training.
The hosts will welcome back Alberto Grassi and Giuseppe Pezzella from suspension, but Youssef Maleh was shown the red card against Juventus and will serve a one-match ban.
Empoli predicted XI (3-5-2, right to left): Vasquez (GK) — Goglichidze, Viti, De Sciglio — Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Cacace, Pezzella — Esposito, Colombo.
Injured: Solbakken, Pellegri, Haas, Sazonoy, Ebuehi, Anjorin, Fazzini, Ismajli
Suspended: Maleh
Milan could see more involvement from Joao Felix and Santiago Gimenez, both of whom made an instant impact off the bench in midweek. But Gimenez will compete with Tammy Abraham for the starting striker role after Alvaro Morata’s exit.
With a Champions League playoff looming, Sergio Conceicao may rotate his squad. However, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Emerson Royal, and Alessandro Florenzi remain sidelined.
AC Milan predicted XI (4-3-3 right to left): Maignan (GK) — Walker, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez — Musah, Fofana, Reijnders — Pulisic, Gimenez, Leao
Injured: Loftus-Cheek, Royal, Florenzi
Suspended: None
Empoli vs. AC Milan Prediction
Empoli’s have not only lost seven of the last eight matches against Milan, they have even failed to score in their last four meetings.
The Tuscan team’s struggles against Milan and their recent defensive woes make an upset unlikely. With Milan’s attacking options clicking, the Rossoneri should secure a comfortable win.
- Prediction: Empoli 0-3 AC Milan
Serie A fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Saturday, February 8
- Hellas Verona vs. Atalanta (9:00 a.m.)
- Empoli vs. AC Milan (12:00 p.m.)
- Torino vs. Genoa (2:45 p.m.)
Sunday, February 9
- Venezia vs. Roma (6:30 a.m.)
- Cagliari vs. Parma (9:00 a.m.)
- Lazio vs. Monza (9:00 a.m.)
- Lecce vs. Bologna (12:00 p.m.)
- Napoli vs. Udinese (2:45 p.m.)
Monday, February 10
- Inter Milan vs. Fiorentina (2:45 p.m.)
