Lazio - Lecce predictions and free betting tips [14/01/2024]

On Sunday, 14th January, as part of the 20th round of the Italian Serie A, Lazio will host Lecce at their home ground. After defeating Roma in the quarter-finals of the country's Cup midweek, the biancocelesti will aim to exact revenge on the blues and yellows for a sensational loss they sustained at the start of the season (2:1).

Predicted line-ups

Lazio: Provedel; Lazzari, Romagnoli, Patric, Hysaj; Guendouzi, Rovella, Alberto; Anderson, Castellanos, Zaccagni.
Lecce: Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Pongracic, Gallo; Gonzalez, Ramadani, Kaba; Oudin, Krstovic, Strefezza.

The Stadium

The match will be taking place in Rome, at the Stadio Olimpico.

Lazio

After a turbulent start to the season, Lazio has transformed in these past weeks: the Romans currently occupy 7th place in the Serie A table, sitting just 3 points behind the fourth-place Fiorentina. The biancocelesti are in good form: out of their last six rounds, they only capitulated to the leading Inter (0:2), clinching 4 victories and settling for a stalemate once. Furthermore, the 'eagles' have three consecutive victories against Empoli (0:2), Frosinone (3:1), and Udinese last weekend (1:2).

Maurizio Sarri's charges this week have secured a place in the semi-finals of the Italian Cup by defeating Roma (1:0) thanks to an excellent shot by Mattia Zaccagni. After hosting Lecce on Sunday, the hosts are slated to go to Saudi Arabia for a semi-final Super Cup match against Inter Milan, hence, a minor squad rotation might be possible. Lazio also took second place in their Champions League group and will face Bayern in the 1/8 finals.

Lecce

At the moment, Lecce stands at 13th place in the Serie A table and enjoys a comfortable 7-point lead from the relegation zone. However, the Apulians have been slacking in recent weeks: out of their previous 14 matches, the visitors have only triumphed over Frosinone (2:1), settling for a draw seven times and losing six. After defeats by Inter (2:0) and Atalanta (1:0), the blues and yellows last weekend managed a draw with Cagliari (1:1).

Notably, Lecce is one of the three Serie A teams that have not clinched a single victory away in the current campaign, standing side by side with Cagliari and Frosinone. The situation worsens considering the stats that Roberto D'Aversa's side scores less than one goal per game on their travels (conceding 13 goals in 9 fixtures). 

Head-to-head encounters

Lecce has won three out of their last four meetings with Lazio in the championship - as many times as in the previous 19 direct clashes. Moreover, goals from Pontus Almqvist and Federico Di Francesco enabled the underdog to conquer the Romans in the first round (2:1).

Predictions for the match Lazio – Lecce

Lazio has metamorphosed in these past weeks, being more confident in their capabilities. Despite their strenuous schedule, the Romans should handle Lecce quite easily at home, given the latter's poor away performance this season. Considering the loss of three key players due to their departure for the Africa Cup, it's hard to foresee how the yellows and blues can snatch even a point from Rome.

Total predictions

Lazio has scored eight goals in their last four matches in all competitions, whilst Lecce let in on average 1.5 goals per game whilst away. I'd dare to bet on Lazio's individual total over 1.5 goals.

Corner predictions

Lazio will likely attack more and seize the initiative – being motivated by being the hosts. My bet goes to Rome's victory with the Asian handicap -1.5 on corners.

Yellow card predictions

Lecce travels to capital with one purpose – to defend and to recurrently slowdown the tempo of the opponents' attacks by committing fouls. Expect the visitors to clinch the most yellow cards.

Predictions on Exact Score

I'll stake on an exact score of 2:0 in favour of Lazio.