Empoli vs Lecce prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2025-01-10 14:00.
[p]Empoli started the new year with a 1-1 draw at Venezia, ending a run of three straight Serie A defeats, but the Azzurri were likely left disappointed not to take all three points after firing in 18 shots. They’ll be hoping for better as they take on Lecce, who, like Venezia, are in the relegation zone, and Empoli have a decent record in this fixture having only lost one of the last eight H2Hs (W2, D5).[/p]
[p]Despite their mid-table position, Roberto D’Aversa’s men start the round just three points clear of their visitors so remain entrenched in a battle for top-flight survival. That’s in no small part down to their measly league-low haul of three goals scored on home soil in Serie A this term (W1, D4, L4), but perhaps there is hope of better at Stadio Carlo Castellani given they’ve scored in each of the last five H2Hs here (W3, D2) and have lost none of the last nine (W4, D5).[/p]
[p]Lecce opened 2025 with a somewhat fortunate 0-0 draw against Genoa given that their opponents hit the woodwork twice, but the point kept them in touch with the lower mid-table. They’re striving for any sort of form having won only one of their last six in the league (D2, L3), and their poor record against Empoli and at this ground are huge causes for concern.[/p]
[p]But performing on the road has been a struggle for the Giallorossi as they have scored just two league goals this term – fewer than Empoli have managed at home – while winning only once (D1, L7). At least manager Marco Giampaolo will be in somewhat familiar surroundings as he managed Empoli during their 2015/16 top-flight campaign in which they finished tenth, while his current employers languished in the third-tier that season![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Lorenzo Colombo has three direct goal contributions across his last five appearances (G2, A1), with each coming before half-time. Tete Morente has scored two of Lecce’s last three goals, while his last six strikes for any club all came in games that saw both sides on the scoresheet.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: There was a goalless first half in three of the last four H2Hs (Empoli HT: W1, D3).[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]