Lecce vs Sassuolo prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-02-24 19:45.
Marco Baroni believes there’s more to come from his inexperienced Lecce side as they target a top half finish in Serie A (SA) for the first time since 1988/89. The manager has one of the youngest outfits in the Italian top flight at his disposal, but insists “we are growing” after beating Atalanta 2-1 in their last outing, a game in which they showed the ruthlessness you might expect from a more experienced squad by scoring twice from only two shots on target.
That result extended the Yellow and Reds unbeaten run to three matches (W2, D1), and they finished matchday 23 in 13th place in the table, just three points behind Udinese who are 10th. A key to moving up the ladder will be an improvement in their home form though, as Baroni’s side are yet to keep a clean sheet in 11 league outings at Stadio Via del Mare, where they have picked up only two victories so far (D6, L3).
Lecce will have to tip the scales to improve on that poor record, as visitors Sassuolo are unbeaten in the five previous H2H meetings between the two sides (W2, D3). The Black and Greens have managed to pull themselves clear of the relegation zone thanks to a four match unbeaten run (W2, D2), which was only ended by a 2-0 defeat to champions elect Napoli in their last contest.
Manager Alessio Dionisi insists he was “happy with the performance” in that game, and a similar display may be enough to see Sassuolo notch a fourth successive SA away fixture without defeat (W1, D2). They may be boosted by the likely return of Domenico Berardi, who missed the loss to Napoli due to a muscle problem and has been described by Dionisi as his “best player.”
Key battle: Six of Gabriel Strefezza’s eight strikes for Lecce this season have been the first or last of the game. He will be trying to add to that tally against Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli, who has kept just one clean sheet in six previous meetings with the Yellow and Reds, picking up three wins in the process (D2, L1).
Hot stat: Ten of Lecce’s 11 home league matches have seen both teams score, a league high.