Lecce vs Roma

Lecce, under the familiar guidance of Eusebio Di Francesco, continue their bid for football's Serie A survival. The former Roma head coach is seeking to reassert his credentials after relegation campaigns with Frosinone and Venezia in recent seasons. They showed resilience last weekend with a 1-1 draw away to Juventus.

That result left Lecce 16th in the table with 17 points (4W, 5D, 8L), hovering just above the relegation zone. Goals remain their major concern, as no team in the division has scored fewer than Lecce’s 12 this season. They have managed just three victories in their last ten league matches (3W, 2D, 5L), highlighting the fine margins that continue to define their campaign.

Still, there have been encouraging signs at the Stadio Via del Mare. Prior to a heavy 3-0 defeat to Como in late December, Lecce had enjoyed a three-match home unbeaten run (2W, 1D, 0L), their most productive spell of the season.

The task is made more difficult by the Salentini’s poor recent record against Roma, having failed to win any of the last eight league meetings between the sides [0W, 2D, 6L]. Injury problems further thin their options, with Mergim Berisha, Riccardo Sottil and Tete Morente sidelined, while Mali international Lassana Coulibaly remains away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

A 4—2—3—1 pattern is expected with Francesco Camarda starting upfront.

Roma arrive in Apulia with their own frustrations after a promising start in football under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The summer appointment of the former Atalanta boss generated optimism, but the Giallorossi have struggled for attacking fluency in recent weeks.

Three defeats in their last five Serie A outings [LWLWL], including a narrow 1-0 loss at Atalanta last weekend, have dented hopes of an immediate return to the Champions League. Roma sit fifth with 33 points [11W, 0D, 7L], still well placed but under pressure to respond.

Defensive solidity continues to underpin the Giallorossi’s campaign. After leading the league in clean sheets last season, they boast the joint-best defensive record in Serie A again, conceding just 12 goals in 18 matches.

Gasperini must also cope without Neil El Aynaoui and Evan Ndicka, both at AFCON, while captain Lorenzo Pellegrini remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Evan Ferguson may start upfront in a 3—4—2—1 formation.