Sassuolo vs Lecce prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-04-20 10:30.
[p]Sassuolo threw away an outstanding opportunity to escape the relegation zone when letting slip a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home to AC Milan last weekend, and despite remaining in 19th, that effort should renew belief in their ability to erase a two-point gap to safety. There’s no denying that the Neroverdi need wins to improve their prospects, but an unbeaten record against next opponents Lecce (W3, D4) gives them hope that they can at least get a point here.[/p]
[p]While five points from three home games (W1, D2) isn’t earth shattering for the hosts, Sassuolo can take comfort from their recent consistent scoring record. They have netted in 11 consecutive home league matches, albeit scoring only once in eight of those matches, and a continuation should give them a real chance against a Lecce side who rank as one of the lowest scorers in the competition this season with just 27 goals.[/p]
[p]Lecce themselves are five points above the relegation zone and are set to spend another week in relative safety irrespective of the result here. That’s an apt reflection of the upswing in their recent performances, which saw them lose just one of their last four matches (W2, D1). That defeat came against second-placed AC Milan, who were the only team to score against the visitors in that sequence.[/p]
[p]Three clean sheets out of four is a tribute to immediate improvements under new boss Luca Gotti, as Lecce managed only two in the 28 league games prior to his arrival. They may need his magic to transform their away record too, as the visitors have kept only one clean sheet across 16 away league games this campaign and have also lost seven of their last nine league trips (W1, D1).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Kristian Thorstvedt assisted Sassuolo’s first goal in their last game and has netted their opening match goal in each of his last five league scoring games; a run that started in a 1-0 win over Lecce in 2023. Nicola Sansone could give him a run for his money for that opening strike, as he scored the match opener with three of his last five league goals, including in their latest 1-0 win over Empoli.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Lecce have failed to score before half-time in 75% of their Serie A league matches this season.[/p]