Lecce vs Atalanta prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-08-18 16:30.
[p]After the first five matches last season in Serie A, only two teams remained unbeaten. Inter Milan went on to win the title while the other side, Lecce, finished the season just three points above the relegation zone. That’s still commendable for a side that started last season with a prime objective of just extending their top-flight stay beyond two editions.[/p]
[p]Unfortunately for the Giallorossi, their second and least desired highlight of last league campaign was the sacking of Roberto D’Aversa after he headbutted Verona striker Thomas Henry in March. Luca Gotti made his mark with three wins in his first five league games in charge (D1, L1), but a five-game winless streak to end the campaign (D3, L2) was a reflection of the challenges they’re likely to encounter this season.[/p]
[p]One of those defeats (2-0) came at home to Atalanta, who lifted their first notable elite silverware in more than 60 years last season as the Europa League champions, whilst also registering a fourth top-four finish from their six most recent Serie A seasons. La Dea started this season with a 2-0 defeat in the UEFA Super Cup against Real Madrid on Wednesday, but that shouldn’t be a setback to their hopes as it came against UEFA’s second-highest ranked club.[/p]
[p]The visitors are likely to be aiming for another top-four league finish and continue to play entertaining football, having finished last league campaign with the third-highest goal tally (72). Their record on the road wasn’t all-conquering, losing nearly as many away trips as they won (W8, D4, L7), but three consecutive wins to end their 2023/24 away campaign, including at Lecce, augurs well for their chances against a team whom they defeated 7-2 in March 2020 for one of their largest away top-flight winning margins.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Wladimiro Falcone started in Lecce’s goal during a 2-1 Coppa Italia win to start their season, which was also the scoreline in Lecce’s two 2022/23 wins against Atalanta. Looking to go past him will be Charles De Ketelaere, who scored Atalanta’s opener in their 2-0 away H2H win last season, as part of his record of eight league wins in eight scoring appearances.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Atalanta have won their season opener in each of their last six campaigns, each time scoring 2+ goals.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Sridhar Bhamidi[/i][/p]