Verdict: Scott McTominay over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Knowing that they can take another giant leap towards this season’s Serie A crown, Napoli will travel to Lecce on Saturday evening.
Lecce
Starting with the hosts, while Lecce might have sprung an upset last weekend as they snatched a 1-1 stalemate away at Atalanta, the Salentians have endured a public crisis this calendar year. Getting Saturday’s showdown underway holding just a two-point buffer from slipping into the relegation zone, Marco Giampaolo’s side have a real battle on their hands in the race to keep hold of their Serie A status. Marking their return from March’s international break with a 1-0 defeat at home against Roma, the Apulia-based outfit are without a win from any of their previous 11 consecutive top-flight showdowns. Likewise, Lecce have also put just a pair of points on the board from any of their last nine attempts. Failing to north a single victory on home soil since the middle of December, Giampaolo’s camp couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge this weekend.
Lecce Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Lecce will once again be without the trio of Filip Marchwinski, Elijah Scott and Joan Gonzalez. However, after both serving respective one-match suspensions against Atalanta last week, the duo of Nikola Krstovic and Medon Berisha will return to Giampaolo’s squad.
While Croatian international Ante Rebic might have notched just a single Serie A strike so far this season, the 31-year-old should keep his spot leading the line. One-time Rangers midfielder Lassana Coulibaly will start in the middle of the park.
Napoli
As for the visitors, while Napoli might have shown some signs of a struggle prior to March’s international break, the Italian giants have come roaring back in a sensational fashion. Capitalising on Inter Milan’s recent rut, Antonio Conte’s side have skyrocketed their way to the top of the Serie A standings and they have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across Italy’s elite. Last seen collecting a routine 2-0 victory at home against Torino, the former Chelsea boss will know the importance of avoiding what would be a major banana skin here. Along with winning each of their previous three Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 6-0, Saturday’s guests have suffered just a sole top-flight defeat since the start of December. Holding a three-point buffer at the top of the table this weekend, Conte’s side should be smelling a golden opportunity.
Napoli Team News
Both missing out against Torino with respective muscle issues, Napoli are once again sweating over the fitness of Juan Jesus and former Ajax starlet Dvid Neres this weekend. Bagging five goals in just his last three Serie A appearances and making a sensational impact since arriving from Manchester United last summer, Scott McTominay will play a leading role in the middle of the park.
Producing 22 direct Serie A goal contributions this season, Romelu Lukaku will spearhead Napoli’s charge in the final third. Arriving from Torino on a permanent basis last year, Alessandro Buongiorno will start at the heart of Napoli’s defence.
Lecce vs Napoli Key Factors to Consider
- When Lecce and Napoli met for their reverse Serie A meeting on October 26th, Conte’s side collected a 1-0 victory in Naples.
- Napoli have won their previous three Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 6-0.
- The Serie A leaders have suffered just a single top-flight defeat since the start of December.
- Lecce have failed to win any of their previous 11 consecutive Serie A appearances.
- Saturday’s hosts have also put just a pair of points on the board from their last nine Serie A showdowns.
Conclusion
Enjoying what has become a remarkable purple patch and skyrocketing their way up the Serie A standings, Napoli will be looking to take another giant leap towards this season’s Serie A crown. Along with winning each of their last six appearances by an aggregate score of 6-0, Conte’s side have also suffered just a single top-flight defeat since the start of December. Meeting a Lecce squad who have failed to win their last 11 straight top-flight showdowns, it is no surprise that Napoli are pencilled in as a landslide contender here.
Verdict: Scott McTominay over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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