Lecce - Napoli predictions and free betting tips [30/09/2023]

On Saturday, 30 September in the 7th round of the Italian Serie A, "Lecce" will host "Napoli" on their home turf. Rudi Garcia's team triumphed with a resounding 4:1 victory over "Udinese" this past Wednesday, while the hosts suffered their first loss of the season against "Juve" (1:0).

Predicted line-ups

"Lecce": Falcone; Gendrey, Pongracic, Baschirotto, Dorgu; Rafia, Ramadani, Blin; Almqvist, Krstovic, Sansone.
"Napoli": Meret; Di Lorenzo, Ostigard, Natan, Olivera; Cajuste, Lobotka, Elmas; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.

Stadium

The match will take place in Lecce at the Via del Mare stadium.

"Lecce"

Last season, "Lecce" teetered on the brink of relegation, and experts predicted a dismal season languishing at the bottom of the table for the team. Nonetheless, the Apulian club is outperforming expectations and currently sits in 6th place in Serie A, having accrued 11 points in 6 rounds. This week, the sky-blues lost narrowly to Juventus away (1:0), with Arkadiusz Milik scoring the deciding goal in the 57th minute. This marked the team's first defeat after going unbeaten in their first 5 matches (3 wins and 2 draws). Furthermore, the hosts have won three out of three home matches in the championship against Lazio, Salernitana, and Genoa, and defeated Como 1:0 in the Coppa Italia, suggesting that Napoli may not have an easy ride. After their clash with the reigning champions, encounters with Sassuolo, Udinese, and Torino await Lecce, as well as a visit to Parma in the cup, which could be a decisive factor.

"Napoli"

The reigning champions of Italy turned a glorious page in their history book this summer with the departure of coach Luciano Spalletti. Rudi Garcia has started his tenure at the new club rather lacklusterly, and the former Roma boss is already under scrutiny. The team currently occupies the 5th spot in Serie A and is on par with this match's opponent. After three disappointing games (2 draws and 1 loss), Napoli secured a home win against "Udinese" with a score of 4:1 this week. Piotr Zieliński put Napoli ahead from the penalty spot, and six minutes after the break, Osimhen doubled the lead. Afterwards, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia found the back of the net, finally ending a 17-match goal drought, and substitute Giovanni Simeone put the match beyond doubt. In the Champions League, the Partenopei got off to a stronger start, defeating Braga away 1:2 in the firs round.

Ahead of two challenging home fixtures versus Real Madrid and Fiorentina, it will be important for Napoli to claim all three points in Apulia from an emotional standpoint. The visitors' defensive line is weakened by injuries to key centre-backs Rahmani and Juan Jesus. Substitute goalkeeper Gollini is also injured. Norwegian Østigård was drafted in as a central defender this summer. Osimhen (4 goals in Serie A) continues to feud with the club's management over a mocking video posted on social media, but remains the southern team's primary offensive force, along with Kvaratskhelia - their places in the starting eleven are without a doubt.

Head-to-head

"Lecce" has won only two out of their last 12 championship matches against "Napoli". Last season, the sky-blues were held to a surprise draw at home (1:1), but prevailed away (1:2).

The prediction for the match "Lecce" vs "Napoli"

Considering recent media turmoil, there's a tense atmosphere in the Napoli camp, but the reigning champions still possess strong attacking potential. Despite Lecce only conceding one goal at home, it's hard to believe that the hosts can keep their net untouched. The sky-blues might have lost by a wider margin in Turin had Juve taken their chances - I'm backing a Napoli win.

Total prediction

"Napoli" is scoring at a rate of 2 goals per game this season and, given Kvaratskhelia's recent return to form, a bet on this trend continuing on Saturday seems reasonable.

Corner kick prediction

"Napoli" will dominate possession and frequently attack the opponent's goal, implying they will also win the corner tally.

Yellow card prediction

"Lecce" will need to commit many fouls to contain Osimhen and Khvicha - the hosts will likely accrue more yellow cards.

Prediction for the score

I'm predicting a 0:2 victory in favour of "Napoli".