Lecce vs Salernitana prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-01-26 19:45.
Newly-promoted Lecce were left counting the cost of a 2-0 Serie A (SA) loss to Verona last weekend as key centre-back Samuel Umtiti hobbled off with an injury. His presence was crucial to their defensive prowess that has kept Lecce as one of the few sides yet to concede more than twice in a league game this campaign. Despite that defeat, their first across seven games (W3, D3), Marco Baroni’s side still finished the first half of the SA season eight points above the relegation zone.
Their top-flight safety could come down to improving their goals tally, as Lecce are one of the lowest SA scorers (18) this season. Playing at home may help change the tempo then as the Giallorossi have scored twice in each of their last three SA home games (W2, D1), all against current top-six clubs.
That confidence may prove crucial when a struggling Salernitana arrive on the back of a run of seven games without a win (D2, L5). The dramatic return of coach Davide Nicola after getting sacked following the 8-2 loss to Atalanta failed to light a fire under the players as Salernitana were beaten by Napoli, leaving them six points above the relegation zone at the halfway stage with the leakiest defence in the division (37 goals conceded).
Nicola would want to avoid a repeat of the tense relegation battle from last season which saw the Granata record the lowest points tally of any club to survive the drop in SA history (31). While a great escape isn’t necessary yet, addressing away form would go some way to ensuring it’s not required at all, as Salernitana have won just one of their last 11 league road trips (D5, L5).
Players to watch: Lorenzo Colombo has seen his last four SA goals help Lecce collect eight points, with three of those strikes arriving before half-time. Krzysztof PiÄ…tek might vie for early honours as his last three league goals arrived before the interval.
Hot stat: Lecce have scored most of their league goals (eight) between the 31st-45th minute period, which is when Salernitana have conceded their most (ten).