Lecce v Roma is a Serie A Week 22 match played on Saturday at 18:00: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
Can a convincing win against Empoli be enough to restore peace at home to Roma? According to the words of José Mourinho, the Giallorossi are where they should be, in a classification zone in line with the value of the squad. It is impossible to expect more, according to the Portuguese coach. In fact, the Capitoline team is momentarily third, in the middle of the fight for a place in the Champions League, one of the main objectives of the season.
A situation facilitated by Juventus’ penalty, no doubt, but the fact that Roma have collected fewer points than only Napoli and Inter can’t be underestimated either. Despite a not always linear trend and not without defeats and underperformances. Meanwhile, two goals were enough to tame the Azzurri (2-0) – both from set-pieces, a Giallorossi speciality this year – and yet another clean sheet this season. The attack, however, is still not fully convincing. And it seems to depend more and more on Paulo Dybala’s inventions and infinite class. Roma conceded fewer goals but scored seven fewer goals than last season. Something for Mourinho to reflect on.
Roma, with the Salentini only two defeats
The trip to Lecce falls on the eve of a very important challenge in the Europa League, where Roma will play for access to the round of 16 against Salzburg.
Baschirotto exults after a goal
In order to face the Austrians with the right serenity, Pellegrini and his team-mates – once the Zaniolo case, who has ended up at Galatasaray, has been filed away – will have to do everything possible not to complicate their lives in Salento, against a team that has only beaten Roma twice in Serie A (1986 and 2012). Marco Baroni’s men, who have given several big teams a hard time in front of their home crowd, are fresh from their ‘mind-clearing’ victory in Cremona. By crushing the grigiorossi 2-0, Lecce secured another piece of salvation.
Lecce v Roma: latest line-up news
Few doubts for Baroni, who will rely on the tried and tested 4-3-3 to counter the Giallorossi. Up front, in addition to the untouchable Strefezza, the Salentini’s main man, there will be Colombo and Di Francesco. Ceesay is also available for selection, but the former Zurich player will start from the bench and alternate with the striker who grew up in the Rossoneri youth academy. In the midfield no problem for Hjulmand, in defence instead the ballot is between Gallo and Pezzella. Among the absentees, in addition to Dermaku and Pongracic, also the former Fiorentina player Maleh.
Mourinho will not exaggerate with the turnover, despite the European commitment just around the corner. In midfield, the coach will rely on Cristante and Matic, while on the right flank Zalewski is ahead of Celik. In front Dybala and Pellegrini will support Abraham as the only striker.
The prediction
Roma haven’t always kept their promises this season, but since they started playing again after the World Cup they have only missed two games: against Napoli in the league – a predictable defeat given the Azzurri’s run – and against Cremonese in the Coppa Italia. Lecce is a tough opponent, very organised and conceding few goals, although the Giallorossi have always found the back of the net in their last 19 matches against the Salentini. You can put a token bet on Mourinho’s team, in a match in which they will most likely score both goals.
Lecce v Roma likely line-ups
- LECCE (4-3-3): Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Umtiti, Gallo; Gonzalez, Hjulmand, Blin; Strefezza, Colombo, Di Francesco.
- ROMA (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Zalewski, Cristante, Matic, El Shaarawy; Dybala, Pellegrini; Abraham.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
