Empoli vs Espanyol preview - Valdifiori paints a pretty picture

Empoli are riding a hot streak with just two defeats in their last 15 games heading into Sunday's home match against Genoa.

The Tuscan outfit held Palermo to a goalless result in Sicily last time out to extend their unbeaten run to five games.

The outcome at La Favorita lifted Empoli to 14th place in the Serie A table, eight points clear of the drop zone.

Despite their good run of form, Empoli's players are remaining cautious with work still to be done before their season's aim is achieved.

"We are going through a positive time," Empoli midfielder Mirko Valdifiori told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We are doing well and we are very happy with our performances.

"We are fighting for Serie A survival and to not concede a goal against Palermo and bring home a valuable point from a difficult stadium is fantastic.

"But we must continue on this path. We know we still have to do a lot of work to surpass the 40-point barrier."

Empoli, coached by Maurizio Sarri, are 12 points away from the 40-point mark which is widely regarded as sufficient to avoid the drop.

Rivals Genoa expect a difficult encounter at the Carlo Castellani stadium with Empoli having lost just one of their last eight games at home and the Grifoni having won just one of their past five encounters on the road.

"We expect a difficult game in Tuscany," Genoa midfielder Andrea Bertolacci said ."But if we want to achieve something important this season, we need to go to Empoli convinced of our quality."

Genoa go into the encounter fully rested after their home game against Parma was postponed last weekend due to the Ducale club's financial crisis.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side is unbeaten in four league games and lies seventh in the standings with a game in hand.

Genoa are without defender Lorenzo Ariaudo and midfielder Tino Costa, both of whom are out injured.

The hosts will not have Albanian defender Elseid Hysaj available as he must serve a one-match ban this weekend.