Prediction: Lecce vs Roma

Verdict: Roma win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Hoping to find a route into the Champions League spots, Roma will travel to Apulia on Monday evening when they meet Lecce.

Lecce

Starting with the hosts, although Lecce might have entered March’s international break with a gritty 1-0 victory away at Salernitana, Luca Gotti’s men have struggled to find any kind of stability this season. Looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap over the final couple of months, the Wolves have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous 13 straight appearances – a rut that stems all the way back to December 16th. Signing off February with a nightmare 4-0 drumming at the hands of runaway leaders Inter Milan, the former Udinese boss will also have a huge headache over his side’s extended issues on home soil. Last seen at the Stadio Via del mare suffering a 1-0 loss against Verona, Lecce have lost three of their previous four domestic showdowns in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Dealing with a long-term injury issue and making just a single Serie A appearance this season, Albania international Kastriot Dermaku remains on the sidelines. However, Leece are hopeful that summer recruit Mohamed Kaba will be able to return to Gotti’s squad on Monday evening.

Serving a one-march suspension against Salernitana prior to March’s international break, 23-year-old Lameck Banda is free to make a return here. Despite bagging just a single strike since opening the New Year, Montenegro international Nikola Krstovic should keep his spot spearheading Leece’s charge.

Roma

As for the visitors, while Roma might have shockingly parted ways with Jose Mourinho back in January, the Italian icons have continued to shine since appointing Daniele De Rossi. With the mood around the Stadio Olimpico at a red-hot high, the Giallorossi now have their sights firmly set on securing a lucrative Champions League return in 2024. Last seen heading into March’s international break with a 1-0 victory at home against Sassuolo, the former SPAL boss has seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Extending on their Europa League adventure earlier in the month as they secured a 4-1 aggregate victory against Premier League outfit Brighton, Roma should be relishing a return from the fortnight interval here. Likewise, landing a 2-1 win when they welcome Lecce to Rome for their reverse meeting on November 5th, De Rossi will be calling on a repeat performance in Apulia.

Team News

While Argentina ace Paulo Dybala might have recently returned to first-team training, the former Juventus star remains a doubt on Monday evening. However, in what could be a pair of timely boosts here, De Rossi’s men are hopeful that both Renato Sanches and former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling could feature here.

Continuing to shine since completing a summer loan switch from Chelsea and notching 18 goals across all competitions, Belgium international Romelu Lukaku will lead Roma’s charge. Cementing his spot as De Rossi’s number-one choice, Serbian goalkeeper Mile Svilar will start between the sticks.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Lecce and Roma met for their reverse Serie A showdown on November 5th, the Giallorossi collected a 2-1 victory on home soil.
• Roma have collected 10 points from their previous four Serie A meetings against Monday’s hosts.
• De Rossi’s men have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
• Lecce have lost three of their previous four Serie A showdowns at the Stadio Via del mare.
• The Wolves have conceded 10 goals in their previous four domestic appearances in front of their own supporters.

Conclusion

Marking their return from March’s international break sat just three points adrift of breaking into the Champions League spots, Roma will know the importance of making a statement here. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions, Monday’s guests have continued to shine under De Rossi. Landing a 2-1 victory when they welcomed Lecce to Rome for their reverse meeting on November 5th, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Roma win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet