Lecce vs Lazio Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Italian Serie A
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Lecce vs Lazio on and what time does it start? Lecce vs Lazio will take place on Sunday 20th August, 2023 – 19:45 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Lecce vs Lazio? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Lecce vs Lazio on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to televise Serie A matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Lecce vs Lazio
Where can I stream Lecce vs Lazio in the UK? If Lecce vs Lazio is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
LECCE
Following promotion in 2022, Lecce put in some enjoyable and proactive performances in Serie A last season, eventually finishing in mid-table. The man that got them promoted from Serie B and then kept them in the top-flight, though, Marco Baroni, has departed for Hellas Verona, who only just survived the drop in an end of season playoff with Spezia last year.
The home team have replaced Baroni with former Parma and Sampdoria manager Roberto D’Aversa ahead of this season. The biggest blow for Lecce, as well as losing Baroni, is also the departure of defender Morten Hjulmand who has been sold to Sporting CP for a fee believed to be in the region of 18 million euros.
LAZIO
Maurizio Sarri enjoyed a second season with Lazio last year, guiding the capital city club to a second place finish and a return to UEFA Champions League group stage football. The hosts have had a disappointing summer, though, with their pursuit of Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stalling and key man Sergej Milinkovic-Savic being sold to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal this summer.
The visitors will be concerned about extra quality up at the top end of Serie A this season with Juventus set to challenge again for the top four as well as improvements in AC Milan and Inter – and even Atalanta, with their arch-rivals Roma also aiming to improve upon finishing sixth last season. After a difficult pre-season, they enjoyed a friendly win of nine goals to nil against Latina.
THE TEAM NEWS
LECCE
Roberto D’Aversa’s preferred formation is a 4-4-2 with a double six in the middle, akin to the German-style 4-2-2-2 set up. The hosts are without full-back duo Antonino Gallo and Lorenzo Venuti due to injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Pongracic, Dorgu; Strefezza, Kaba, Maleh, Banda; Almqvist, Di Francesco
UNAVAILABLE: Venuti (Injured), Gallo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LAZIO
Maurizio Sarri has selection dilemmas by way of the fact he has lost, as mentioned, Milinkovic-Savic, but with no fresh injuries for this weekend, it is expected to be quite a steady and stable 4-3-3 selection for the former Chelsea boss.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Casale, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Kamada, Rovella, Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Whilst Lazio are unlikely to be as good as they were last season when they reached second place, they still have a well balanced and well-structured squad that is suited to the complex style of football that Maurizio Sarri has sought to implement. They take on a Lecce side that will have to adjust to the loss of the man that has brought them their relative recent success and that may well take a bit of time. Given that, a relatively comfortable Lazio win is to be expected, even playing away from home.
TIP: LAZIO TO WIN
