Lecce vs Lazio: Match Preview
The Stadio Via del Mare hosts Lecce vs Lazio Matchday 31 of the 2019/20 Serie A.
Looking at the previous matches between the two sides, the Biancocelesti have won on five occasions, the Salentini have won on one occasion and there have been three draws. In more recent times, Lazio defeated Lecce 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in Matchday 12 of the 2019/20 campaign.
In regards to form in the Serie A this campaign, Simone Inzaghi’s team sits in second with a record of 21W-5D-4L (68 points), while Fabio Liverani’s side sits in eighteenth with a record of 6W-7D-17L (25 points). The last round of calcio saw Milan defeat the Biancocelesti 3-0 and Sassuolo defeat the Giallorossi 4-2.
Expected Starting Lineups
Lecce (4-3-2-1): Gabriel; Donati, Lucioni, Paz, Calderoni; Barak, Petriccione, Mancosu; Falco, Saponara; Babacar.
Suspended: Tachtsidis
Unavailable: Meccariello, Majer, Deiola, Dell’Orco, Rossettini, Lapadula
Yellow-Carded: Rispoli
Lazio (3-5-1-1): Strakosha; Patric, Acerbi, Radu; D. Anderson, Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas Leiva, Luis Alberto, Jony; Caicedo, Immobile.
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Luiz Felipe, Marusic, Correa, Lulic
Yellow-Carded: Acerbi, Cataldi, Lazzari
Prediction
This match takes place after Lazio lost 3-0 in Rome to Milan in the Serie A. It was a frustrating performance from the Biancocelesti, which saw them give up a 2-0 lead in the first half-hour and struggled to get back into the match. Ciro Immobile and Felipe Caicedo were unavailable for this match as they served a one-game suspension. Inzaghi was forced to change his tactics as he didn’t have a true number nine upfront. The absence of Immobile caused a real threat for the Biancocelesti as they didn’t look cohesive, lacked composure and struggled to create chances in the final third. Credit to Milan, as Franck Kessié and Ismael Bennacer, did a good job of limiting space for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Luis Alberto. The loss put a dent into Lazio’s chances of trying to win a Scudetto, yet the main goal continues to be returning to Champions League.
The last time these two teams met back in October, Lazio were in great form and put in one of their best performances this season, as they defeated Lecce 4-2. Joaquin Correa scored a brace and Immobile led the way with a decisive winner. Correa is set to miss the match as he’s nursing as injury and will need time to recover. Two players who Inzaghi will definitely be happy to see return to the lineup are Immobile and Caicedo. This gives the manager options upfront and should alleviate some of his problems. Aside from Correa set to miss the match, they will be without many key players as Luiz Felipe, Adam Marusic, and Senad Lulic are all expected to miss the game once again. The task will be difficult for Lazio but they have shown to be resilient this season.
As for Lecce, they currently sit in 17th place and have recently struggled to find their form. In their past six matches, the Giallorossi have lost six straight and continue to drop further down in the standings. They are currently two points back of Genoa who are just above the relegation zone. Liverani’s task doesn’t get easier as he will play aside who will look to keep pace with Juventus and have many keys players returning to their line up. In their last match against Sassuolo at the MAPEI Stadium – Città del Tricolore, Lecce found themselves trailing twice, yet came back on two occasions. However, it was not enough as two late goals from Jeremie Boga and Mert Müldür sealed a 4-2 victory for Sassuolo.
With Lazio seven points back from Juventus at first and Lecce two points separated from Genoa who are just above the relegation zone, neither team will want to lose ground in the standings. Expect an exciting clash Tuesday evening at the Stadio Via del Mare.
Prediction: Lecce 0-2 Lazio
