Lecce vs Empoli Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Italian Serie A
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It has been a difficult start to the season for Lecce as they begin this weekend sitting rock-bottom in the Serie A table ahead of now facing an Empoli side that sit firmly in the middle-of-the-table.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 8th November, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – OneFootball / US – Paramount+
LECCE PREVIEW: LACKLUSTRE LECCE
During the March international break, Lecce took the decision to sack Roberto D’Aversa and replace him with experienced coach Luca Gotti. He comfortably led the Apulia-based club clear of the bottom three and the relegation places but he is now under immense pressure as they begin the weekend sitting at the bottom-of-the-table.
The home team have managed just two victories in their opening 11 matches as they come into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat to an improving Bologna side at the Renato Dall’Ara in their most recent outing, last weekend. They have, quite remarkably, scored just four goals in their 11 games so far this season.
EMPOLI PREVIEW: FLOURISHING IN FLORENCE
Last season, Empoli sacked both Paolo Zanetti and Aurelio Andreazzoli before Serie A miracle worker Davide Nicola eventually helped them avoid relegation on the final day of the campaign. Nicola departed for Cagliari and he has been replaced by the aforementioned former Lecce coach D’Aversa, who has started the season very well.
The Florence-based club have suffered just three defeats in their opening 11 matches so far this season as they sit firmly in mid-table. Empoli come into this one on the back of ending a five-match winless run of form with a slender 1-0 defeat of Como thanks to a winning goal from Pietro Pellegri in the 47th minute.
LECCE TEAM NEWS: SEVERAL ABSENTEES
Lecce are dealing with several injury absentees for this weekend’s clash against Empoli as defensive duo Filip Marchwinski and Luis Hasa are among those sidelined.
As well as those two, Lecce are also without attackers Medon Berisha and Kevin Bonifazi, whilst Balthazar Pierret is also missing with a muscle injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-5-1): Falcone; Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo; Pierotti, Dorgu, Ramadani, Rafia, Banda; Krstovic
UNAVAILABLE: Marchwinski (Injured), Luis Hasa (Injured), Pierret (Injured), Berisha (Injured), Bonifazi (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
EMPOLI TEAM NEWS: EMPOLI ISSUES
Goalkeeper Samuele Perisan and defender Tyronne Ebuehi have been out injured for a while and they have now been joined on the sidelines by a few others.
As well as summer signing Saba Sazonov, who has picked up an ACL injury, both Alberto Grassi and Jacopo Fazzini are unavailable for the Florence-based club.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Devis Vasquez; De Sciglio, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Henderson, Haas, Pezzella; Solbakken, Maleh; Pellegri
UNAVAILABLE: Perisan (Injured), Ebuehi (Injured), Sazonov (Injured), Grassi (Injured), Fazzini (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Esposito (Injured)
LECCE VS EMPOLI PREDICTION
This one is expected to be a low-scoring affair. Lecce, as mentioned, have struggled for goals and for any sort of quality at both ends of the pitch with the pressure growing on Gotti. Empoli have been efficient and effective with a defensive and reactive style of football since the appointment of D’Aversa. Empoli are slight favourites but the general expectation is for there to be fewer than three or four goals in Apulia.
LECCE VS EMPOLI TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
