Empoli vs Chievo preview - Maran urges Chievo to keep pushing

Chievo coach Rolando Maran has warned his players they cannot afford to take their foot off the pedal when they visit Empoli on Sunday.

The Verona outfit are looking to defend their Serie A status this season and go into the encounter in Tuscany looking for a third straight win.

Chievo won 1-0 at Parma before clinching a 2-1 home triumph over Sampdoria in the last round.

"We have collected six points in the last two rounds," Maran told Gazzetta dello Sport. "But we cannot get our hopes up just yet.

"We will take things one step at a time as we have done in recent weeks.

"We have to continue to work hard and make the most of our chances.

"We have an important game at Empoli and we have to go all out for victory."

Their good run of form has seen Chievo climb out of the relegation zone and into 15th place, four points clear of the drop zone.

Maran will have all of his players available with the exception of injured defender Nicholas Frey.

Empoli are one place above Chievo but level on 24 points with the Flying Donkeys.

The Tuscan side held AC Milan to a 1-1 draw last time out to extend their unbeaten streak to three matches.

"We could have beaten Milan and we would have deserved the victory," Empoli coach Maurizio Sarri said. "But the important thing is that we continue to move up in the standings."

Empoli midfielder Daniele Croce will have an extra spring in his step against Chievo having this week signed a one-year contract extension with the Tuscan outfit.

Croce has played in 22 of Empoli's 23 games so far and his previous deal was due to expire this summer.

Chievo will have to keep a close eye on Empoli striker Massimo Maccarone. The 35-year-old has found the back of the net in his team's last three matches and will lead the hosts' attack.