Despite suffering three defeats in their last three games, Verona still have a comfortable margin above the relegation zone. Since March, the Scaligeri have only beaten Udinese, scoring just one goal in their last six games—their attacking statistics have plummeted—yet they remain far from the drop zone. There are currently six points between Paolo Zanetti’s men and third-bottom Venezia, which is no small margin with three games to go: a win in the head-to-head clash with Lecce would allow the Gialloblù to move further towards safety.
For the Salentini, however, the situation is much more complicated. They seemed destined for a comfortable survival, but Marco Giampaolo’s team has lost its way in the second half of the season. The Giallorossi’s last win came in January, and they have not won in 12 games: only between 1997 and 1998 did Lecce go longer without a win in the top flight. Last Saturday, Baschirotto and his teammates somehow held their own against Napoli, who arrived in Salento hungry for points in the title race, but they were unable to avoid their third defeat in their last four games (0-1). Lecce is third from bottom in terms of away form: they have only picked up 12 points, just two in their last five games on the road. The specter of relegation, should there be no turnaround in Veneto, would loom ever larger, as Giampaolo’s men are only one point ahead of Venezia and two ahead of Empoli.
Verona-Lecce: the latest news on the lineups
The returning Tengstedt will try to reinvigorate Verona’s sluggish attack: the former Benfica player, fresh from a long lay-off, is ready to partner Sarr. Zanetti also welcomes back the valuable and versatile Dawidowicz, who could be adapted to the role of midfielder in place of Serdar, alongside Duda. The defense will consist of Coppola, Valentini, and Ghirardi. Faraoni and Harroui are out.
On the other side, Giampaolo is concerned about Krstovic, whose presence is in doubt due to a thigh injury: if he does not make it, he will be replaced by Rebic. The Giallorossi coach’s other doubt concerns the midfield, with Kaba threatening Helgason’s place. Tete Morente, on the other hand, is favored in the runoff with Karlsson.
Odds comparison
The “Under 2.5” bet is quoted at 1.63 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.60 on Snai. The “X2” bet is quoted at 1.67 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.65 on Snai.
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The prediction
In previous Serie A matches against Verona, Lecce has never managed to win at the Bentegodi stadium, with a record of four draws and five defeats at the Scaligeri’s home ground. Unlike the Gialloblù, the Salentini are not in a position to make calculations: given their precarious position in the table, a draw may not be enough. The situation is different for Zanetti’s men, who could be satisfied with a point: in any case, we expect a tense and therefore far from spectacular match in which you could try the double chance away.
Probable line-ups for Verona-Lecce
VERONA (3-4-1-2): Montipò; Ghilardi, Coppola, Valentini; Tchatchoua, Dawidowicz, Duda, Bradaric; Suslov; Tengstedt, Sarr.
LECCE (4-3-3): Falcone; Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo; Coulibaly, Pierret, Kaba; Pierotti, Krstovic, Tete Morente.