Verdict: Fiorentina win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Turning their attention back to Serie A duties on Monday night, Fiorentina will travel to Apulia when they meet Lecce.
Lecce
Starting with the hosts, while Lecce might have eventually clung to their Serie A status last season, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side have another major uphill battle on their hands. Continuing on what has been a nightmare run, the Giallorossi find themselves sat in the drop zone and are almost universally regarded as the standout relegation candidate over the coming weeks. Last seen falling to a routine 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bologna, the Apulia-based outfit have now lost all of their previous four consecutive Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 8-1. Likewise, Monday’s hosts have lost six of their last seven top-flight showdowns and they have shown some glaring issues at both ends of the pitch. It’s also worth highlighting, Lecce have failed to notch a single Serie A strike in over 350 minutes of action.
Lecce Team News
Not featuring since the end of February and currently dealing with a back injury, former Fiorentina striker Riccardo Sottil is likely to once again miss out here. Likewise, Albanian youngster Medon Berisha remains on the sidelines with a thigh issue.
Making a speedy return from a minor knock last week, Italian defender Antonio Gallo could be handed a full recall. One-time Aberdeen Ylber Ramadani will partner 22-year-old Oumar Ngom in the middle of the park.
Fiorentina
As for the visitors, while Fiorentina might have watched their Europa Conference League adventure come to an end on Thursday night as they eventually fell to a 4-2 aggregate defeat against Crystal Palace, the Viola have shown some major improvements on either side of March’s international break. Despite failing to mount what would have been an iconic European turnaround in midweek, Paolo Vanoli’s side did secure a second-leg 2-1 win in Tuscany and they should be excited to turn their attention back to Serie A duties on Monday night. Securing a heavyweight domestic scalp last week as they clinched a 1-0 win against Lazio, Fiorentina have suffered just a single defeat from their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Skyrocketing away from the drop zone, the Viola will be confident of making another domestic statement here.
Fiorentina Team News
Once again missing out against Crystal Palace on Thursday night and still dealing with a recent calf issue, Fiorentina are expected to be without leading marksman Moise Kean. Likewise, enduring a nightmare start to life in Tuscany, ex-Brighton defender Tariq Lamptey remains on the sidelines with another long-term knee injury.
Despite missing out against Palace in midweek after serving a one-match European suspension, Brazilian defender Dodo should be handed an immediate full recall. Now in his second campaign in Tuscany, former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea will start between the sticks.
Lecce vs Fiorentina Key Factors to Consider
- When Lecce and Fiorentina met for their reverse Serie A showdown back on November 2nd, Monday’s hosts secured a shock 1-0 win in Tuscany.
- Despite watching their Europa Conference League adventure come to an end on Thursday night, Fiorentina have lost just one of their last nine appearances across all competitions.
- Fiorentina have won three of their last four matchups outside of Tuscany across all competitions.
- Lecce have lost their previous four consecutive Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 8-1.
- Likewise, Monday’s hosts have lost six of their last seven top-flight showdowns.
Conclusion
While Fiorentina might have watched their Europa Conference League adventure come to an end last time out, Monday’s guests will take plenty of positives from their eye-catching run on either side of March’s international break. Suffering just a sole defeat from their previous nine appearances across all competitions, the Viola have come skyrocketing away from the drop zone. Hit with a 1-0 loss when they welcomed Lecce to Tuscany for their reverse showdown back in November, Fiorentina should be confident of claiming some immediate revenge.
Verdict: Fiorentina win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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