Verdict: Napoli win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
Hoping to clinch consecutive Serie A victories on Tuesday evening, Napoli will travel to Apulia when they meet a struggling Lecce.
Lecce
Starting with the hosts, while Lecce might have eventually clung to their Serie A status in the most remarkable of fashion last season, it is no secret that the Salentians are almost universally regarded as a standout relegation candidate this time around. Falling to an action-packed 3-2 loss away at Udinese over the weekend, Eusebio Di Francesco’s men have registered just a single win from any of their first 10 appearances across all competitions. Despite heading into October’s international break with a 1-0 victory against Parma, it appears that was just a minor boost for the Apulia-based outfit. Watching their Coppa Italia adventure come to a thumping end on September 23rd as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of AC Milan, Lecce will be bracing themselves for another stern examination here.
Lecce Team News
Both still dealing with respective knee injuries, Lecce will once again be unable to call upon the duo of Filip Marchwinski and French defender Gaby Jean on Tuesday evening. Coming off the bench and bagging a consolation strike against Udinese over the weekend, Ivory Coast international Ronan Ndri could be handed a first start of the season.
Now in his third campaign in Apulia, one-time Aberdeen star Yiber Ramadani will start in the middle of the park. Still waiting to open his account after completing a permanent summer switch from Belgium outfit Charleroi, Nikola Stulic could drop down to the bench.
Napoli
As for the visitors, suffering a public European nightmare last week as they eventually fell to a 6-2 drumming away at PSV, Napoli returned to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders. However, despite facing another heavyweight challenge on home soil, Antonio Conte’s camp produced a sensational performance. Storming their way to a 3-1 victory against historic rivals Inter Milan, the former Tottenham boss also saw his squad skyrocket their way back to the top of the Serie A standings. Despite smelling a golden opportunity here, the reigning Italian champions have gained an unwanted reputation for their extended issues on the road. Signing off September with a 2-1 loss against AC Milan, Conte’s side have lost each of their previous four consecutive appearances outside of Naples by an aggregate score of 11-3.
Napoli Team News
Yet to make a single appearance so far this season, Belgium international Romelu Lukaku remains on the sidelines with a thigh issue. Likewise, dealing with a recent groin issue, Napoli are also expected to be without Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojund on Tuesday evening.
Converting from the penalty spot against Inter Milan on Saturday and making an immediate impact after completing a summer switch from Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne will play a leading role in the middle of the park. Despite still waiting to open his Serie A account, David Neres could once again be deployed in a central role.
Lecce vs Napoli Key Factors to Consider
- When Napoli last travelled to Apulia back on May 3rd, the reigning Italian champions collected a 1-0 victory.
- Along with winning four of their last five meetings, Napoli are also unbeaten in their previous six showdowns against Tuesday’s hosts.
- However, Napoli have lost all of their last four consecutive away fixtures by an aggregate score of 11-3.
- Lecce have recorded just a single victory from any of their first 10 appearances across all competitions.
- The Salentians have remarkably mustered just a sole Serie A win in front of their own supporters so far this calendar year.
Conclusion
Claiming an immediate response over the weekend as they secured a thumping 3-1 victory against Inter Milan, Napoli will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. Although the reigning Italian champions might have continued to show some glaring issues on the road, Conte’s camp will rightfully be smelling a golden opportunity in midweek. Landing a 1-0 win when they last travelled to Apulia back on May 3rd, we are expecting a similar outcome on Tuesday evening.
Verdict: Napoli win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
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