Sassuolo vs Lecce prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2022-08-19 18:45.
Sassuolo will seek to address an alarming dip in Serie A (SA) form when they return to the Mapei Stadium on Saturday evening. Having picked up just four points from their concluding six fixtures last campaign (W1, D1, L4), a 3-0 humbling by title hopefuls Juventus on the opening day wasnât an ideal start for Sassuolo, but manager Alessio Dionisi was upbeat in his evaluation against a difficult opponent, stating that ââthey did not deserve this resultââ.
Dionisi will want to see a return to goalscoring form however, after seeing his side net 64 times last term – the seventh most in the league. Particularly as Sassuolo arenât famed for defensive resilience and with only five teams conceding more SA home goals last term (30), coupled with a league-high 79% of Sassuolo games seeing both teams score, we shouldn't be surprised if the hosts prioritise attacking a visiting defence against whom theyâll be considered firm favourites.
Competing in just their second SA season since 2012, relegation candidates Lecce were outdone by a puncturing 95th minute winner against Inter last weekend on their return to Italyâs top-flight. In a memorable Serie B title victory last campaign, I Giallorossi established a somewhat underwhelming away record in the league, winning just six games on their travels, including only two from their closing nine (D5, L2).
Despite this, Marco Baroniâs side will look to capitalise on their remarkable record of scoring first in last seasonâs league fixtures â with no team netting the opening goal more than Lecceâs 25 from 38 games. The underdogs will surely be looking for another fast start if they are to record a first-ever victory against Saturdayâs opponents (D3, L1).
Key battle: Gianluca Scamaccaâs departure to West Ham may see winger Domenico Beradi become the main goal threat for Sassuolo this term â he started all 38 league games and netted on 15 occasions last season. Heâll face new Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone, who has conceded at least once before the 25th minute in each of his last four SA appearances!
Hot stat: Sassuolo have netted the opening goal in five of their last six games at the Mapei Stadium, with five of those fixtures also seeing over 2.5 goals.