Lecce vs Empoli Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Italian Serie A
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Lecce vs Empoli on and what time does it start? Lecce vs Empoli will take place on Saturday 13th April, 2024 – 14:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Lecce vs Empoli? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Lecce vs Empoli on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Serie A matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Lecce vs Empoli
Where can I stream Lecce vs Empoli in the UK? If Lecce vs Empoli is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
LECCE
Last month, Lecce took the decision to sack their manager Roberto D’Aversa after he headbutted Hellas Verona forward Thomas Henry following a slender 1-0 loss to Verona, who are coached by Marco Baroni, who left Lecce at the end of last season. The hosts have improved slightly but are only a few points above the bottom three and the relegation places.
They come into this one on the back of a 3-0 hammering at the hands of San Siro in their most recent outing last weekend against AC Milan with goals from Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao. Prior to that, they had taken four points from the first two matches of the Luca Gotti-reign.
EMPOLI
Empoli begin this match day sitting a couple of points outside of the bottom three and the relegation places after the appointment of miracle worker Davide Nicola in January paid off. The former Crotone and Salernitana coach is looking to mastermind yet another great escape with Empoli battling against the drop.
The Florence-based club come into this one on the back of a desperately much-needed victory last weekend as Mbaye Niang scored a 94th minute winner to defeat Torino by three goals to two. That win ended a four-match losing streak for Empoli, albeit three of those four defeats were against teams currently sitting in the top four.
THE TEAM NEWS
LECCE
Key man Nikola Krstovic is missing through suspension for Lecce this weekend, whilst Kastriot Dermaku and Mohamed Kaba are out injured.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Falcone; Venuti, Baschirotto, Pongracic, Gallo; Ramadani, Blin, Gonzalez; Dorgu, Almqvist, Banda
UNAVAILABLE: Krstovic (Suspended), Kaba (Injured), Dermaku (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
EMPOLI
Both Aridan Ismajli and Tyronne Ebuehi are sidelined through injury for Empoli this weekend, whilst Gabriele Guarino is also a doubt for Davide Nicola.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Caprile; Bereszynski, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Gyasi, Marin, Bastoni, Pezzella; Zurkowski, Cambiaghi; Cerri
UNAVAILABLE: Ismajli (Injured), Ebuehi (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Guarino (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
This is a massive game for the relegation battle in Serie A. As mentioned, after the appointment of Luca Gotti, Lecce battened down the hatches and became quite difficult to even play against for two games before facing an excellent Milan side at the weekend. However, they now face one of the better sides in Italy over the past few months with Empoli only really suffering losses to the very best teams. As a result, siding with the away team would appear a good bet for this one.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – EMPOLI TO WIN OR DRAW
