MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 08:24:47| >> :600:174207:174207:
[monks data]
Empoli logo
Serie A | Gameweek 15
Dec 11, 2023 at 5.30pm UK
Stadio Carlo Castellani
Lecce logo

Empoli
1 - 1
Lecce

Rafia (71' og.)
Maleh (37'), Grassi (51')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Banda (64')
Gonzalez (4'), D'Aversa (68'), Ramadani (75')

Preview: Empoli vs. Lecce - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Monday's Serie A clash between Empoli and Lecce, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Empoli hope to avoid slipping into the bottom three at the end of round 15's Serie A action when they welcome Lecce to Stadio Carlo Castellani on Monday.

The 17th-placed side have picked up one point from their last two games, but their opponents have not fared better, securing two from as many fixtures.


Match preview

Empoli coach Aurelio Andreazzoli reacts on September 24, 2023© Reuters

Empoli are in free fall but have been assisted by the wretched form of teams around them, which has prevented them from slipping into the league's bottom three positions.

While every victory the Azzurri have nicked this term has come since Aurelio Andreazzoli replaced Paolo Zanetti at the club in September, those three victories still see them flirting with relegation.

Stunning wins at Fiorentina and beleaguered Napoli have been secured, but Empoli have not matched the same performance level against other sides, strikingly losing 2-1 to Frosinone and 4-3 to Sassuolo.

Last weekend's 1-1 draw with Genoa was encouraging, as Andreazzoli's men fought back from Ruslan Malinovskyi's first-half strike to level through Matteo Cancellieri after the interlude.

A point in isolation was a decent result, and Empoli must build on the outcome to have any chance of rising in the standings.

Lecce's Lorenzo Venuti with teammates remonstrate with referee Rosario Abisso on November 11, 2023© Reuters

It remains to be seen if Andreazzoli's men can see off Lecce on Monday, with the away side playing out two draws in 270 minutes of action.

Those ties against Milan, Hellas Verona and Bologna have not been humdrum affairs, as Roberto D'Aversa's troops have netted in every game and conceded.

They were unfortunate not to defeat Stefan Pioli's Rossoneri before November's international break, after fighting back from 2-0 down to level 2-2 while having a late winning strike ruled out after a VAR intervention.

The Puglia-based club may feel they are due a win after failing to add to their three victories since defeating Genoa 1-0 in September.

Lecce were five undefeated after that game (three wins), but losing to Juventus on September 26 started an unwanted run of 10 matches without a triumph (nine in Serie A), a run they are keen to end at the Castellani.

Empoli Serie A form:

Lecce Serie A form:


Lecce form (all competitions):



Team News

Empoli's Francesco Caputo celebrates scoring their third goal with Nicolo Cambiaghi on May 22, 2023© Reuters

Tommaso Baldanzi's ankle issue keeps him sidelined this weekend, and Giuseppe Pezzella's back problem rules out the defender on Monday.

Italy Under-20 World Cup defender Gabriele Guarino has been part of the Empoli squad, typically an unused substitute, but the centre-back's injury keeps him outside the first-team squad.

As for Lecce, Mohamed Kaba is doubtful for Monday's clash, while Jeppe Corfitzen is not expected to participate because of a shoulder injury.

The away side have had five distinct goalscorers in their recent three draws, suggesting D'Aversa's men can get goals from anywhere on the pitch.


Empoli possible starting lineup:
Berisha; Bereszynski, Ismajli, Luperto, Cacace; Fazzini, Ranocchia, Maleh; Cancellieri, Caputo, Cambiaghi

Lecce possible starting lineup:
Falcone; Gendrey, Pongracic, Baschiroto, Dorgu; Gonzalez, Ramadani; Strefezza, Oudin, Banda; Krstovic


SM words green background

We say: Empoli 1-1 Lecce

Lecce fans may not welcome the possibility of another draw, even if a fourth consecutive tie could be on the cards in Empoli, with three of their five recent meetings (Serie A and Serie B) ending without a victor.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


ID:530965:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10434:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Empoli vs Lecce

Empoli
43.0%
Draw
37.2%
Lecce
19.8%
86
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Juventus' Manuel Locatelli celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on October 24, 2023
Read Next:
Sunday's Serie A predictions including Juventus vs. Inter Milan
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Buccaneers
@
Chiefs
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Napoli118121881025
2Inter Milan1173125131224
3Atalanta BCAtalanta1171329141522
4Fiorentina116412291322
5Lazio1171324141022
6Juventus115601971221
7AC Milan105231711617
8Udinese115151416-216
9Bologna103611211115
10Torino114251516-114
11Empoli1135389-114
12Roma113441214-213
13Hellas VeronaHellas Verona114071624-812
14CagliariCagliari11236919-109
15Genoa11236821-139
16Como112361222-109
17Parma111641417-39
18Monza111551014-48
19VeneziaVenezia112271019-98
20Lecce11227420-168


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!