Lecce – AS Roma : Preview & Prediction
Two second-half goals against fellow Serie A (SA) newcomers Cremonese ended Lecce’s four-game winless streak (E2, P2) and brought the team somewhat closer to the relative safety of mid-table. The Salento region is now experiencing days of optimism as Lecce accumulate 23 points from 21 rounds – their top flight record since the 2004/05 season.
The visit of Roma, who are aiming to get into the Champions League places, should not spell trouble for the home side as Lecce have avoided defeat in three of the four SA matches they have played at Via del Mare against teams ranked in the top six (G2, E1), and those three games are among the team’s last four at home. Despite that performance, Lecce have taken just 11 points from 23 at home, so fans will be worried about the arrival of a Roma side that has beaten the team in the last four meetings between them.
A 2-0 win thanks to a quick double header from corners served by Paulo Dybala helped Roma to their fourth win in SA in six league games in 2023 (E1, P1), and helped them move into the top four in the standings. Set-piece goals have helped the Roman side greatly this campaign, scoring 43% of their 28 goals via that route.
Roma are expected to travel south with confidence looking at their recent record against the home side, and also considering that the team has not lost in this league playing away from home against teams that start the day in tenth place or worse (G5, E2). That streak has helped the team to score more points at home than away (21 vs 19) and means that Roma is one of the few teams to score more goals away (57%). In addition, the end of the Nicolò Zaniolo soap opera, who is aiming for Galatasaray, should improve the atmosphere in the dressing room.
Players to watch: On the Lecce side, Gabriel Strefezza has scored in two straight SA games and could make it three in a row for the second time this season, opening the scoring against Roma the first time he did so. Despite getting injured scoring a penalty in the first round match between these two sides, Dybala will be looking forward to this match, having scored against Lecce all three times he has faced them (G3).
Big Fact: Roma have won all seven SA clashes in which they went into the break ahead.
Lecce – AS Roma : Betting Tips
AS Roma – Win Odds: 1.95
