Monza vs Lecce prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-09-16 13:00.
It's been a solid, if not spectacular start to the Serie A (SA) campaign for Monza, who have won one of their opening three fixtures (L2). Encouragingly, that sole win did come on home turf via a 2-0 win against Empoli, so spirits ought to be high as they seek to avenge a 1-0 defeat to Lecce in this corresponding fixture last season.
Interestingly, that result means Lecce are one of just four teams to have left the U-Power Stadium with a SA clean sheet since Monza’s promotion to the top-flight. That shows the firepower Monza have at their disposal going forward, but given a peculiar quirk in Monza’s SA games this season in which the away side on the day has drawn a scoring blank each time, one goal may be enough for victory.
Lecce look good value to severely threaten that record, as they travel on the back of an unbeaten start to their SA campaign (W2, D1). Boss Roberto D’Aversa insists his side have “exceeded expectations” thus far, but he is keen to keep feet firmly on the ground, as he also insisted the goal for Lecce is simply to stay in the division at this point.
If Lecce are to push above their current station, then improving upon their away form will likely be key to that, with the aforementioned success in this corresponding fixture last season their only win from their last eight SA away games (D2, L5). Monza are perhaps an ideal opponent in that sense then, as Lecce have won three of their six historical away H2Hs (D2, L1).
Players to watch: Andrea Colpani was at the double in Monza’s SA home success against Empoli, and all six of his career SA strikes have arrived later than the 30th minute. After collapsing on international duty, Nikola Krstović has been given a clean bill of health as he seeks to score in third successive SA game.
Hot streak: Lecce have scored exactly twice in their three SA outings this term, as well as their last game of 2022/23.