Verdict: Lecce win
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Facing what is a season-defining showdown on Sunday night, Lecce will welcome Genoa to the Stadio Via del mare.
Lecce
Starting with the hosts, opening Sunday’s Serie A finale holding just a one-point buffer over the drop zone, Lecce are bracing themselves for a season-defining showdown this weekend. Despite falling a a hard-fought 1-0 loss at the hands of Italian giants Juventus earlier in the month, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side have shown some real signs of life over the past five weeks. Making an immediate return to winning ways last time out as they clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory away at Sassuolo, the Wolves have now lost just one of their previous five Serie A appearances. Getting May underway with a 2-1 win against Pisa, Lecce find sit in pole position to once again drag themselves over the finishing line. Despite registering just a single victory at the Stadio Via del mare since the start of February, Di Francesco’s side will feel that they have been handed a gold opportunity here.
Lecce Team News
Yet to feature so far this calendar year and still sidelined with a long-term thigh issue, Lecce have already confirmed that Albanian youngster Medon Berisha will once again miss out here. Likewise, enduring a frustrating campaign at the Stadio Via del mare, AC Milan loanee Riccardo Sottil will not feature due to a back injury.
Bagging what could prove to be a season-defining brace away at Sassuolo last time out and now registering three direct goal contributions in his previous three Serie A appearances (three goals, one assist), Moroccan striker Walid Cheddira will spearhead Lecce’s attack.
Genoa
As for the visitors, although Genoa might have officially extended on their Serie A status with time to spare, the Griffins are largely limping their way over the finishing line. Last seen getting heavyweight with a 2-1 loss at home against Italian icons AC Milan, Daniele De Rossi’s side have registered just two points from any of their previous four top-flight appearances. Signing off April with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Como, the former Roma midfielder should also have a headache over his side’s struggles in the final third. In fact, Sunday’s guests have notched just a single strike in over 400 minutes of Serie A action. Forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate when they welcomed Lecce to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for their reverse showdown back in the opening weekend of the 2025/26 campaign, Genoa could face another rugged test here.
Genoa Team News
Shown what was a costly second-half booking against AC Milan last week, Portuguese attacker Vitinha will serve a one-match suspension here. Only making eight Serie A appearances after arriving from West Ham on loan last summer, Maxwell Cornet remains on the sidelines with a muscle issue.
Despite notching just a single Serie A strike so far this calendar year, 19-year-old Jeff Ekhator could be handed a full recall on Sunday night. Arriving from a season-long loan switch from Venezia last summer, Alessandro Marcandalli will start at the heart of Genoa’s defence.
Lecce vs Genoa Key Factors to Consider
- When Lecce and Genoa met for their reverse Serie A showdown back on the opening weekend of the 2025/26 campaign, Sunday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate.
- Lecce have lost just one of their previous five Seri A appearances.
- Genoa have registered just two points from any of their last four consecutive Serie A appearances.
- Sunday’s guests have registered just a single Serie A strike in over 400 minutes of action.
- Six of Genoa’s last seven top-flight matchups on the road have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Opening their season finale holding just a one-point buffer over the drop zone, Lecce are bracing themselves for a season-defining showdown on Sunday night. Making an immediate return to winning ways last time out as they claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory against Sassuolo, Di Francesco’s side have lost just one of their previous five Serie A appearances and should be smelling a potential opportunity here.
Verdict: Lecce win
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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