Prediction: Lecce vs Roma

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 14/19

Bookmaker: BetUS

Defeated in their opening fixture of 2026, Roma head south on Tuesday evening to face Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare, aiming to halt a worrying slide and revive their push for a top-four finish.

While the capital club struggles for consistency, their hosts remain locked in a battle for survival, sitting just above the relegation zone after a hard-earned point in Turin.

Lecce

History offers little comfort for the hosts, who have managed just two wins in 38 Serie A meetings with Roma, losing 26 times. Their last league victory over the Giallorossi came in April 2012, and they suffered two defeats last season.

Yet, Lecce approach this clash buoyed by a spirited 1-1 draw at Juventus. Lameck Banda’s opener was quickly canceled out, but Eusebio Di Francesco’s men held firm, aided by the woodwork and Wladimiro Falcone’s penalty save. Despite conceding 72% possession and facing 26 shots, Banda’s strike—Lecce’s only effort on target—earned a vital point.

That result extended Lecce’s best run of the season, with seven points from their last five games breathing life into their survival bid.

Team News

Di Francesco remains without Mergim Berisha, Riccardo Sottil, and Tete Morente through injury, while Lassana Coulibaly is still on AFCON duty. Banda and Kialonda Gaspar featured in Turin after their nations’ exits, so few changes are expected.

Nikola Stulic and Milan loanee Francesco Camarda continue to misfire, and the latter may lose his starting spot.

Roma

Gian Piero Gasperini’s return to Bergamo as Roma boss on Saturday ended in disappointment. After nine seasons at Atalanta—highlighted by a Europa League triumph in 2024—the veteran coach saw his new side fall to a familiar foe.

Continuing a poor run that yielded only three points from four pre-Christmas games, Roma succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Atalanta, their sixth loss by that scoreline this season. Mile Svilar’s rare error gifted the hosts the lead, and Paulo Dybala squandered Roma’s best chance to equalize.

Never one to mince words, Gasperini criticized his misfiring forwards post-match, and with another blank fired, attention inevitably turns to the January transfer window. Rumors swirl around moves for Atletico Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori and Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee, but immediate priorities lie in reversing Roma’s slump against Sassuolo, Torino, and Tuesday’s opponents—one of their most favorable fixtures historically.

Team News

Suspensions for Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso compound Roma’s defensive woes, with Evan Ndicka away at AFCON alongside Neil El Aynaoui. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains sidelined with a hamstring strain, while Tommaso Baldanzi and Leon Bailey are doubtful.

Artem Dovbyk’s return from injury could threaten Evan Ferguson’s starting spot, while Dybala’s struggles raise questions over Roma’s attacking setup.

Head-to-Head

Roma’s dominance in this fixture is overwhelming, with 26 wins from 38 meetings and no defeats since 2012. Lecce’s home advantage and recent resilience offer hope, but history—and quality—favor the visitors.

Conclusion

Both sides struggle for goals, so one strike could settle the contest. Despite Roma’s attacking woes, their superior firepower makes them likelier to edge a tight affair and keep their Champions League dream alive.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 14/19

Bookmaker: BetUS