Prediction: Lecce vs Fiorentina

Verdict: Fiorentina win

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at the foot of the Serie A table, Fiorentina will travel to the Stadio Via del mare on Monday night when they meet Lecce.

Lecce

Starting with the hosts, while Lecce might have marked their Serie A return over the summer, it appears that the Giallorossi are destined for a relegation scrap this time around. Although Marco Baroni’s side might have been last seen on October 9th as they put in a gritty display at the Stadio Olimpico, the former Cremonese boss saw his side get hit with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Roma. Despite picking up what was a much-needed 2-1 victory away at Salernitana before heading into September’s international break, that is the only win that Lecce have collected since opening the 2022/23 campaign. Crashing out of the Coppa Italia back in August after a shock 3-2 loss at the hands of Serie B outfit Cittadella, Baroni will have a growing headache over his side’s rather glaring issues at the back. Still yet to muster a single clean sheet across any competition so far this season, the Giallorossi could be in for a tough test on Monday night.

Team News

Sent off the in the first-half away at Roma last week, Lecce will be without Morten Hjulmand here as the 23-year-old serves a suspension.

While Kristoffer Askildsen appears to have overcome a thigh injury, the Norwegian midfielder is expected to start on the bench.

Fiorentina

As for the visitors, while Fiorentina might have cruised their way to another routine Conference League romp a few days ago, it does not cover what has been a worrying domestic run so far this year. Last seen on Serie A duties getting hit with a 4-0 drumming at home against Lazio, Vincenzo Italiano’s side have really struggled to match a similar level that they set last season. Battling it out at the foot of the table and now winning just one of their previous eight top-flight contests, a run that stems back to the opening weekend, the Viola are desperate to pick up a boost on Monday night. Eventually picking up a 5-1 romp at home against Scottish outfit Hearts in European action, fans around the Stadio Artemio Franchi will be calling on a similar display here. It should be highlighted, picking up a 3-1 victory when they last made the trip to the Stadio Via del mare back in July 2020, Fiorentina should be smelling a chance on the road.

Team News

Fiorentina have confirmed that long-term absentee Gaetano Castrovilli will once again miss out on Monday night.

Likewise, along with Sofyan Amrabat serving a suspension here, 23-year-old Riccardo Sottil will also not make the trip to Lecce.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off at the Stadio Via del mare back in July 2020, Fiorentina picked up a 3-1 victory.
• However, Monday’s guests have managed to muster just a single victory from any of their previous eight Serie A matchups.
• Likewise, Lecce have also recorded just a single Serie A victory since opening the 2022/23 campaign.
• The Giallorossi have seen each of their opening five domestic matchups on home soil finish with both teams finding the net.
• Three of Fiorentina’s last four appearances across all competitions on the road have seen over 2.5 goals by the final whistle.

Conclusion

Managing to pick up a much-needed European boost a few days ago as they picked up a 5-1 victory against Hearts on home soil, Fiorentina will be looking to drag that momentum into their Serie A form. Although the Purples might have shown some worrying domestic issues since opening the 2022/23 campaign, Monday’s guests should be smelling a chance here. Facing off against a Lecce side that have mustered just a single Serie A victory since making their top-flight return over the summer, Italiano’s side should also be excited by their most recent trip to the Stadio Via del mare. Landing a 3-1 victory when they traveled to the relegation scrappers back in July 2020, we’re backing a similar away win here.

Verdict: Fiorentina win

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet