Lazio vs Lecce prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-01-13 11:30.
On the back of three successive Serie A wins, things are looking up for Lazio in their quest for a top four finish. Just three points separate them from fourth spot ahead of the round, and while the league table would suggest that this clash with bottom-half Lecce should be a mere formality for the hosts, three defeats from the last four Serie A H2Hs (D1) suggests that this game may not be as cut-and-dry as their favourites tag indicates.
Despite the H2H negatives, the feel good factor at the club was further enhanced in midweek after advancing to the Coppa Italia semi-finals with a 1-0 win over city rivals Roma in midweek. That result stretched Lazioâs formidable record at the Stadio Olimpico to nine wins from their last 11 home games in all competitions (D1, L1), leaving them well-placed to win four Serie A matches in a row for the first time since April 2023.
With a comfortable gap to the drop zone and a hefty margin to overturn to seriously threaten the European places, Lecce are the definition of a mid-table side right now. Theyâll almost certainly be left with a burning sense of âwhat couldâve beenâ though, as despite their comfortable cushion to the bottom three, Lecce have won just one of their last 14 Serie A matches (D7, L6).
The more optimistic Lecce fans will be keen to point out that theyâve only lost two of their last eight league games (W1, D5), but itâs that hefty draw column which has held them back, with only Udinese (11) being involved in more Serie A stalemates this term than the Giallorossiâs nine. Thereâs no time like the present to improve upon that, and with the incentive to complete a Serie A double over Lazio for the first time ever after a 2-1 win in the reverse, the motivation is certainly there.
Players to watch: Lazioâs last seven Serie A goals have all been scored by different players, but theyâll be hoping MatĂas Vecino can buck that trend here given he hasnât lost a club game in which heâs scored since 2019 (W12 since). Lecce could look to Roberto Piccoli for a later impact, given three of his four goals this term arrived after half-time.
Hot stat: Lazio have scored four first-half Serie A home goals this season, all of which arrived inside the opening 15 minutes.