Lazio vs Lecce

Resurgent Lazio entertain out-of-sorts Lecce in contrasting Serie A circumstances at the Stadio Olimpico.

Back to Serie A action following a morale-boosting 1-0 Coppa Italia win against arch-rivals Roma, Lazio are keen to maintain their uplift in form, having won their last three league matches by an aggregate score of 7-2. Manager Maurizio Sarri knows better than to rest on his laurels, aware a three-point deficit on fourth-placed Fiorentina keeps his side at a disadvantage at the start of this round. On top of that, Lazio’s problems with inconsistent performances on home soil have seen them win just twice in their last four league games at the Olimpico (D1, L1). While nothing less than a win would satisfy Sarri, connoisseurs of action-packed football will hope Lazio and Lecce can both score in a sixth consecutive top-flight H2H in the capital, with this corresponding fixture last term yielding an enthralling 2-2 draw.

On the other hand, Lecce dropped another lead in last weekend’s gut-wrenching 1-1 draw against fellow relegation rivals Cagliari, registering their ninth Serie A stalemate of 2023/24, with only Udinese having more (11). But more importantly, Roberto D’Aversa’s men have won just once in their last 14 league games (D7, L6). Given their wayward form, ‘I Giallorossi’ can consider themselves lucky for commencing this round six points clear of the drop zone. To keep it that way, Lecce must address their travel sickness as they’re one of just three Serie A sides yet to win on the road this season (D5, L4). After a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture, halting that streak here would see them pull off their first-ever league double against Lazio.