Venezia vs Lecce Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Venezia have returned to Serie A as Serie B champions last season as they begin their campaign with a clash against now perennial strugglers Lecce.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – Paramount+ & DAZN
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Paramount+ & DAZN
Venezia preview: Ambitious Venetians
Following major investment from an American-led group headed up by Tim Leiweke, Venezia have spent heavily over the summer as they seek to cement themselves in Serie A - having failed to spend longer than two seasons in the top-flight in over 70 years.
Venezia have stuck by former Cremonese boss Giovanni Stroppa, who led them to the top-flight by winning the league last year, scoring 77 goals and collecting 82 points with just four defeats in their 38 matches.
Lecce preview: Perennial strugglers
Lecce have survived the drop in each of the last couple of seasons, which is somewhat surprising, but they haven't done it easily, only narrowly escaping the drop with a limited and quite defensive, dull style of football.
They have tried to amend that with the signing of Willem Geubbels from Paris FC, having scored just 28 goals in Serie A last season despite their manager, Eusebio Di Francesco, having had a reputation for quite a naive and overly attacking style of football in the past.
Venezia team news: Couple of injuries
Upon their return to the top-flight, Venezia are dealing with a couple of injury issues as Marin Sverko remains sidelined alongside attacker Andrea Adorante.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Montipo; Schingtienne, Moreno, Haps; Correia, Lamine Fanne, Sohm, Busio, Richie Sagrado; John Yeboah, Adams
Unavailable: Sverko (Injured), Adorante (Injured)
Questionable:
Lecce team news: Couple of issues
Zambia international attacker Lameck Banda is a key man for Lecce but trying to force through a move away has led to him ostracised ahead of this weekend with midfielder Medon Berisha missing through injury.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Falcone; Jean, Gaspar, Siebert; Veiga, Fofana, Coulibaly, Maleh, Ndaba; Stulic, Geubbels
Unavailable: Berisha (Injured), Banda (Out of favour)
Questionable:
Venezia vs Lecce prediction
Venezia have added Akor Adams for a club-record fee from La Liga giants Sevilla and there will be an expectation that they are an attacking addition to Italy's top-flight. Di Francesco is now tasked with improving Lecce as a more effective team in the final third, rather than just hoping for the best in their avoidance of relegation. Venezia will fancy themselves for a victory on the opening day of the season but it could be quite an entertaining watch for the neutral at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo.
Venezia vs Lecce tip: Venezia to win & both teams to score
