Verdict: Roma win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Marking their return from March’s international break on Saturday night, Roma will travel to Apulia when they meet Lecce.
Lecce
Starting with the hosts, while Lecce might have eventually clung to their Serie A status last season, the Wolves have another major job on their hands in 2025. Heading into March’s fortnight interval with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Genoa, Marco Giampaolo’s side find themselves at the heart of a real struggle. Marking their return on Saturday night holding just a three-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, the Apulia-based outfit have lost each of their previous four Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 7-3. Likewise, putting just a single victory on the board from any of their previous nine attempts, Lecce should also be concerned by their most recent showdown against Saturday’s guests. Hit with a 4-1 drumming when they traveled to Rome back on December 7th, Giampaolo’s camp will be bracing themselves for another stern examination.
Lecce Team News
Not making a single appearance since the end of September and still dealing with a long-term knee injury, Poland international Filip Marchwinski remains on the sidelines. However, returning from a muscle issueless month, Lameck Banda should get some more minutes under his belt.
Notching seven Serie A strikes since opening the New Year and enjoying what has been an eye-catching flurry, former Red Star striker Nikola Krstovic will play a leading role in the final third. One-time Aston Villa star Federic Guilbert will start at right-back.
Roma
As for the visitors, while Roma might have watched their Europa League adventure come to an end earlier in the month as they fell to a 3-2 aggregate defeat against Athletic Bilbao, the Italian giants are enjoying a real domestic flurry. Heading into March’s international break with a 1-0 victory against Cagliari, Saturday’s guests have enjoyed a real resurge since Claudio Ranieri’s emotional return back in November. Skyrocketing their way up the Serie A standings and knowing they can move within touching distance of the Champions League spots, Roma have won each of their previous six consecutive top-flight appearances by an aggregate score of 10-1. Likewise, the former Leicester boss has not seen his squad suffer a single defeat from any of their last 13 Serie A outings – a purple patch that stems all the way back to December 15th.
Roma Team News
While Turkey international Zeki Celik might have been dealing with a muscle issue prior to March’s international break, the former Lille defender could return to Roma’s squad here. However, in what is a major blow for Ranieri’s side, Argentinian ace Paulo Dybala is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a thigh injury.
Featuring for France over the past week, Manu Kone will partner ex-PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes in the middle of the park. Notching 10 Serie A strikes after arriving from Spanish outfit Girona last summer, Artem Dovbyk will spearhead Roma’s charge.
Lecce vs Roma Key Factors to Consider
- When Lecce and Roma met for their reverse Serie A meeting on December 7th, Ranieri’s men collected a thumping 4-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico.
- Roma have won each of their previous six Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 10-1.
- Likewise, Saturday’s guests are unbeaten in all of their previous 13 consecutive Serie A appearances.
- Lecce have lost each of their last four Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 7-3.
- Saturday’s hosts have failed to notch a single Serie A victory in Apulia since the middle of December.
Conclusion
Enjoying what has been a remarkable domestic romp, Roma will be looking to mark their return from March’s international break with another marker. Knowing that they can move within touching distance of the Champions League spots, Saturday’s guests are unbeaten in all of their previous 13 consecutive Serie A appearances. Likewise, storming their way to a 4-1 romp when they welcomed Lecce to Rome for their reverse meeting on December 7th, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.
Verdict: Roma win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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