Lecce will invite Atalanta to Stadio Via del Mare in their Serie A campaign opener on Monday. The hosts finished in 14th place in the league standings with 38 points, just three more than the relegated Frosinone. The visitors secured a fourth-place finish with 69 points.
The hosts began their 2024-25 season with a 2-1 home win over second-tier side Mantova in the Coppa Italia first round last week. Kialonda Gaspar broke the deadlock in the 14th minute and Nikola Krstović restored their lead in the 86th minute after Davide Bragantini equalized for Mantova.
The visitors played Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday and suffered a 2-0 defeat. Their poor run from the pre-season continued in that match, having suffered two losses in their three friendlies.
Lecce vs Atalanta Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have crossed paths 50 times in all competitions. The visitors have the upper hand in these meetings with 21 wins. The hosts have 12 wins and 17 games have ended in draws.
- The visitors secured a league double over the hosts last season, keeping clean sheets in both games. The hosts had secured the league double in the 2022-23 campaign.
- The hosts concluded their 2023-24 Serie A campaign on a five-game winless streak, failing to score in the last three.
- Atalanta have suffered just two losses in their last 10 meetings against Lecce while recording five wins.
- The visitors saw conclusive results in their last seven league games of the 2023-24 campaign with six wins and one loss.
- The two teams last met in the Serie A campaign opener in the 2004-05 season, with the match ending in a 2-2 draw.
- The hosts won their campaign opener last season while the visitors have won their last six campaign openers in Serie A.
Lecce vs Atalanta Prediction
The Salentini began their season with a 2-1 home win in the Coppa Italia, scoring two goals for the first time in a competitive match since February. They are winless in their last three Serie A home games, failing to score in two. Interestingly, they met the visitors in their last home game in May, suffering a 2-0 defeat.
Mohamed Kaba is a long-term absentee and is the only injury concern for head coach Luca Gotti, as he takes charge of the club for his first full season. He is expected to field a similar starting XI from their Coppa Italia win.
La Dea are on a five-game winless run in all competitions, including friendlies, and have suffered four losses. They have won their last three Serie A away games, scoring two goals apiece, and will look to build on that form. They have won three of their last four away meetings against the hosts and are strong favorites.
Gian Piero Gasperini has a lengthy absentee list for the campaign opener as Giorgio Scalvini, Sead Kolasinac, Rafael Toloi, and Gianluca Scamacca are injured while Nicolo Zaniolo is a doubt.
While the visitors have been in poor touch recently, considering the away record in this fixture, we back them to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Lecce 1-2 Atalanta
Lecce vs Atalanta Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Atalanta to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Nikola Krstović to score or assist any time - Yes