Lecce-Lazio is a Week 16 match of Serie A and will be played on Wednesday at 16:30: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
In the last official match of 2022 an unrecognisable and blunt Lazio had failed to even put up a fight against an overwhelming Juventus.
The clash at the Allianz Stadium last November 13 was a monologue for the Bianconeri (3-0), with the Biancocelesti looking visibly exhausted by the autumn tour de force that allowed no break between Europa League and league commitments. It was a defeat in Turin that somewhat dampened the enthusiasm of the double success against Roma in the derby and Monza, both won with minimal effort (1-0) by Maurizio Sarri’s men, who had been forced to do without their striker Ciro Immobile since mid-October. The absence of the Torre Annunziata-born striker had a big impact on Lazio’s offensive performance – the Capitolini have never scored more than one goal in their last five official matches – but they were able to limit the damage.
Sarri finds Immobile again
The club’s elimination from the Europa League – and consequent relegation to the Conference League – weighed heavily, however, following an absurd defeat on the final day of the group stage against Feyenoord.
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Sarri, however, is enjoying fourth place in the league: his team has 30 points after 15 rounds, the same as Inter and one less than Juventus, who overtook them thanks to their round-robin success fifty days ago. Not bad when you consider Lazio do not have a squad long enough to cope with three competitions. The biancocelesti start again in Lecce, a newly-promoted side that is doing well, proving that they have what it takes to reach salvation. Marco Baroni’s Salentini closed out 2022 with a crucial double win against Atalanta (2-1) and Sampdoria (0-2) that allowed them to dig a furrow (+8) between themselves and third-last Cremonese.
Lecce-Lazio: latest line-up news
Baroni’s 4-3-3 form will be the one chosen by Baroni to face Lazio, the same one used by Sarri. Strefezza, Colombo and Banda will find space in the offensive trident, with Di Francesco and Ceesay ready to take over as the game progresses. In the middle Gonzalez, who has recovered and is ready to keep company with Blin and Hjulmand, will not forfeit: from the bench the new purchase Maleh, arrived with obligation of redemption from Fiorentina.
Sarri will therefore find Immobile again, who will be flanked by Felipe Anderson and one of Zaccagni and Pedro. The presence of Luis Alberto, who is recovering from a knee problem, is uncertain: Cataldi will be in charge, and Milinkovic-Savic and Vecino will play on his sides. In the centre of defence, Casale should win out over Patric.
The prediction
With the return of Immobile, Lazio should find the goals again, even if the Salento has so far only been the land of conquest for Inter and Juventus, who have had to work hard to take the three points from the Via del Mare. A complicated match is looming for the Biancocelesti, who start as favourites but will have to be careful of an organised and confident team like Lecce. The total goals should be at least two.
Lecce-Lazio’s likely line-up
- LECCE (4-3-3): Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Umtiti, Gallo; Blin, Hjulmand, Gonzalez; Strefezza, Colombo, Banda.
- LAZIO (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari, Casale, Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Vecino; Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
