Welcome to Extratips, football fans! We've got an exciting Serie B kickoff on August 23rd at 17:00, with Empoli hosting Padova in Italy. Both teams are starting with zero points, so winning this opener is crucial to set the tone for the season. The odds from bet365 suggest a slight home advantage for Empoli at 1.83, with a draw at 3.70 and Padova at 3.90. Notably, the ‘Home’ bet favors Empoli, but it's close, indicating a tight contest. Empoli sits at position 6 and is hungry to climb higher, while Padova, lingering at 12th, will aim to upset early on. Past matches between these sides have been mostly low-scoring affairs, with recent encounters ending 1-0 or 2-1 in Empoli’s favor. Empoli's last five home games saw them picking up a mix of wins and draws—they're solid but not unbeatable. Padova's last road trips show resilience, holding tough against strong opponents, often playing tight defensive football. Key factors include Empoli's tactical flexibility and Padova's organized defense. Watch for an interesting clash with potential for a narrow Empoli win, possibly with both teams scoring! Let’s see how these two get the season rolling. Buckle up—football’s back!