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Lazio will entertain Lecce at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A action on Sunday.
The hosts made it three wins on the trot in Serie A last week with a 2-1 away triumph over Udinese in their first league match of the year. Luca Pellegrini broke the deadlock in the 12th minute but Walace pulled Udinese level in the 59th minute. Matías Vecino scored the match-winner in the 76th minute to help Lazio jump to seventh place in the league standings.
They continued their winning run in the Coppa Italia, defeating arch-rivals Roma 1-0 in the quarter-finals on Wedensday. Mattia Zaccagni scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 51st minute. As expected, tensions flared in the derby and three players were sent off in added time.
The visitors are winless in their last three league outings and played out a 1-1 draw against Cagliari in their first match of the year last week. Valentin Gendrey's 31st-minute goal assisted by Rémi Oudin was canceled out by Gaetano Oristanio in the second half.
Lazio vs Lecce Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have squared off 44 times across all competitions since 1980. As expected, the hosts have the upper hand in the head-to-head record with 20 wins. The visitors are not far behind with 12 wins while 12 games have ended in draws.
- Interestingly, Lecce are unbeaten in their last four league meetings against the capital club, recording three wins, including a 2-1 home win in the campaign opener in August.
- Lazio have lost just one of their last 13 home games across all competitions, recording 10 wins. They have suffered just one loss at home against the visitors, with that defeat coming in Serie A in 2011.
- The visitors have endured a winless run in their travels across all competitions this season.
Lazio vs Lecce Prediction
The Biancocelesti have broken a poor run of form and, after going winless in three consecutive games in December, they have registered four wins on the trot. They have scored eight goals in these wins while keeping two clean sheets and will look to make it five wins on the spin.
Coming to the team news, head coach Maurizio Sarri will be without the services of Valentin Castellanos, who picked up a thigh injury in the Coppa Italia clash against Roma. Ciro Immobile faces a late fitness test.
The Giallorossi have seen a drop in form after a solid start to the season and have just one win across all competitions since late September. They have failed to score in two of their last three league outings, which is a cause for concern.
Ahmed Touba, Hamza Rafia, and Lameck Banda have been called up by their respective national teams for the 2023 AFCON while Nicola Sansone is currently nursing an injury.
While the visitors have recorded three 2-1 wins in their last four meetings against the hosts, they have been in poor recent form and have just one win in away meetings against the capital club.
Le Aquile have recorded four wins in a row and, considering their home advantage, we back them to register a narrow win.
Prediction: Lazio 2-1 Lecce
Lazio vs Lecce Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Lazio to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least a goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Felipe Anderson to score or assist any time - Yes
