Fiorentina vs Lecce Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Italian Serie A
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Fiorentina vs Lecce on and what time does it start? Fiorentina vs Lecce will take place on Sunday 27th August, 2023 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Fiorentina vs Lecce? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Fiorentina vs Lecce on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Serie A matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Fiorentina vs Lecce
Where can I stream Fiorentina vs Lecce in the UK? If Fiorentina vs Lecce is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
FIORENTINA
Vincenzo Italiano is one of Italy’s up and coming managers. The bright managerial prospect led Fiorentina to the finals of both the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Europa Conference League last season. There is some expectation, or at least hope and ambition, that they will be able to challenge for a top four spot and potential UEFA Champions League qualification this time around.
They began the Serie A season in fine form with an excellent 4-1 hammering of newly-promoted Genoa in Genoa. They followed that up, though, with a 1-0 loss in Austria against Rapid Vienna in the first-leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round tie. There are rumours circulating around Sofyan Amrabat and Nicolas Gonzalez with both players potentially leaving in the final week of the window.
LECCE
Lecce gained promotion back to Serie A in the 2021/22 campaign and they comfortably survived last season, playing some genuinely impressive and progressive football. However, they lost their manager, Marco Baroni, to likely fellow relegation candidates Hellas Verona and that unexpected blow would have seen them come into this season with some concern.
However, under the management of Roberto D’Aversa, who has been in charge of Sampdoria and Parma in the recent past, Lecce began with a shock 2-1 defeat of last season’s second-place side Lazio. Lazio took a 26th minute lead in that match but late, quick-fire goals from Pontus Almqvist and Federico Di Francesco gave Lecce a surprise victory at Stadio Comunale Via del Mare.
THE TEAM NEWS
FIORENTINA
Vincenzo Italiano may be temped to make some changes to his I Viola side this weekend with the loss to Rapid Vienna meaning they must be fresh and ready for the second-leg. They are without injured midfield duo Antonin Barak and Gaetano Castrovilli.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Kayode, Milenkovic, Ranieri, Biraghi; Arthur, Mandragora; Gonzalez, Bonaventura, Brekalo; Nzola
UNAVAILABLE: Barak (Injured), Castrovilli (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LECCE
Lecce will try and be as similar in their performance and lineup as they were in victory last weekend with one player, Lorenzo Venuti, out of action due to injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Falcone; Gendrey, Pongracic, Baschirotto, Chinazaekpere Dorgu; Rafia, Ramadani, Gonzalez; Almqvist, Strefezza, Banda
UNAVAILABLE: Venuti (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This could well be a really entertaining encounter between two sides with differing priorities. Fiorentina will be keen to ensure UEFA Europa Conference League group stage qualification so could well be distracted for their first game of the Serie A season back at the Artemio Franchi, whilst Lecce are eyeing up a start of back-to-back victories against famous opposition in what would be one of their best starts to a campaign ever. This could end up being quite an open affair in Florence and, whilst Fiorentina remain favourites with their home advantage, backing goals to be scored looks a good bet.
TIP: OVER 2.5 GOALS
