For this important Serie A match, the last-placed Lecce will try to climb out of the bottom as they host Empoli on Friday at Stadio Via del Mare. Lecce struggled for a good form throughout the season, managing to secure only two wins and an extremely low goal tally. On the other side, Empoli cements mid-table positioning through a strong defensive record, seeking continuation of the good run on their trip to Lecce.
Match Preview
Lecce had finally ended a long goal drought with a win over Hellas Verona last week, their first since August, although a 1-0 loss to Bologna via a late goal thereafter doesn’t deter the Salentini from carrying on with recent positives and ending a tough run that has kept them dead last in Serie A on goal difference. Luca Gotti’s side has let in an average of 1.7 goals per game, considering its offensive struggles with just four goals in their last 14 league games. A win over Empoli will seal back-to-back home wins for the first time since September 2023.
Coming into this, Roberto D’Aversa’s Empoli returns to Lecce with the aim of continuing its defensive dominance. Tuscan have kept five clean sheets in 11 matches, placing them among the league’s best defensive teams alongside Juventus, Napoli, and Inter Milan. It goes without saying that key defender Mattia Viti has been rock-solid at the back, considering he is also the man topping the charts for most tackles made this season in Serie A. Conceding just nine goals all season, Empoli have a defense as strong as their 2006 team that went on to finish seventh. Azzurri have lost just once in their last seven away matches and will be brimming with confidence on a trip to Lecce.
Team News
Lecce:
Out: Medon Berisha, Kevin Bonifazi, Rares Burnete, Filip Marchwinski (injuries).
Doubtful: Balthazar Pierret (muscle problem).
Attack Lameck Banda and Patrick Dorgu will once again be supported by wings in Coach Luca Gotti’s attacking setup. Banda’s last Serie A goal was against Empoli in December 2023, while Dorgu and Nikola Krstovic have scored twice this season, accounting for all of Lecce’s goals.
Empoli:
Coming back: Saba Goglichidze (after suspension).
Out: Szymon Zurkowski, Samuele Perisan, Tyronne Ebuehi, Saba Sazonov, Sebastiano Esposito, and Jacopo Fazzini.
Upfront, Pietro Pellegri, who scored the winner in their last match, and former Lecce loanee Lorenzo Colombo will fight for a starting place.
Predicted Lineups
Lecce
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting XI: Falcone; Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ramadani, Rafia; Dorgu, Krstovic, Banda.
Empoli
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Starting XI: Vasquez; Viti, Ismajli, Goglichidze; Gyasi, Maleh, Henderson, Anjorin, Pezzella; Solbakken; Colombo.
Prediction: Lecce 1-1 Empoli
While Lecce has seen good fortunes at home against Empoli, converting chances will be key. Empoli’s solid defense has handed them an advantage this season, although they might press forward against Lecce’s leaky defense and make this a balanced game with a probable share of spoils.
