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Spezia Calcio logo
Serie A | Gameweek 17
Jan 8, 2023 at 2pm UK
Stadio Alberto Picco
Lecce logo

Spezia
0 - 0
Lecce

FT

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

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

Lecce will be aiming to win a fourth successive league match when they visit Spezia in Serie A on Sunday.

The hosts, meanwhile, will hope to put further distance between themselves and the relegation zone.


Match preview

Spezia boss Luca Gotti on August 20, 2022© Reuters

After seeing their relegation rivals Sampdoria surprisingly claim all three points away to Sassuolo earlier in the day on Wednesday's bumper-filled Serie A action, Spezia boss Luca Gotti may have feared the worst ahead of his side's home match against Atalanta.

The Black and Blues have been one of the most formidable sides on the road throughout Gian Piero Gasperini's reign and this season has been no different with them winning five and losing just one of their seven away trips, so to claim a 2-2 draw against them was no mean feat for Spezia.

However, having led 2-0 until Rasmus Hojlund pulled one back with 13 minutes of normal time remaining, Mario Pasalic's injury-time equaliser was a cruel blow for Gotti's side, who saw their gap ahead of the bottom three cut to five points as a result.

As such, they will be keen to return to winning ways against Lecce on Sunday, but that will be no easy task given their opponents' brilliant form in recent matches.

Lecce boss Marco Baroni on August 13, 2022© Reuters

Indeed, having only been promoted from Serie B as champions last season, even the most optimistic of Lecce fans would have struggled to envisage their side's healthy position in the table at this stage of the season.

The Yellow and Reds pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat Lazio 2-1 at Stadio Via del mare on Wednesday, with second-half strikes from Gabriel Strefezza and Lorenzo Colombo overturning Ciro Immobile's early opener.

That made it three wins in a row for the newly-promoted side having beaten Atalanta and Sampdoria prior to the World Cup, and it has taken them nine points clear of the relegation zone after 16 matches.

However, head coach Marco Baroni will be acutely aware that there is a long way of the season to go, especially having been relegated with Frosinone in 2019. With their next match being against an in-form AC Milan side, he will be determined to see his side maintain their winning momentum this weekend.

Spezia Serie A form:

Lecce Serie A form:


Team News

Spezia's Kevin Agudelo celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 17, 2022© Reuters

Spezia could be without both of their senior goalkeepers after Jeroen Zoet was withdrawn due to injury against Atalanta, meaning 20-year-old Petar Zovko may start between the posts for the hosts.

Daniele Verde also remains an injury doubt, while Albin Ekdal could be drafted in from the start in order to provide more experience in midfield.

Lecce, meanwhile, will travel without Morten Hjulmand after the holding midfielder received his fifth caution of the season during the win against Lazio on Wednesday.

Youssef Maleh, who joined on loan from Fiorentina last week, could be handed his first start for the club after making his debut from the bench last time out.

Spezia possible starting lineup:
Zovko; Amian, Kiwior, Nikolaou; Holm, Ekdal, Ampadu, Bastoni, Reca; Nzola, Gyasi

Lecce possible starting lineup:
Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Umtiti, Gallo; Blin, Maleh, Gonzalez; Strefezza, Colombo, Banda


SM words green background

We say: Spezia 1-2 Lecce

Spezia's collapse against Atalanta would have concerned their manager Gotti, who is likely to be forced into starting an inexperienced youngster in goal due to injuries.

As such, we would not be surprised if Lecce extend their winning run to four matches on Sunday.


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 3.5 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 3.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Spezia vs Lecce

Spezia
31.5%
Draw
22.2%
Lecce
46.3%
54
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Pisa1393125111430
2SassuoloSassuolo1384125121328
3SpeziaSpezia137601981127
4Cesena136342218421
5Cremonese135351817118
6BariBari133821511417
7Palermo134541311217
8Brescia135261820-217
9Juve StabiaJuve Stabia134541316-317
10Mantova134451215-316
11CatanzaroCatanzaro132921311215
12Sampdoria134361618-215
13Cosenza CalcioCosenza134631313014
14Modena133551819-114
15Reggiana133551315-214
16Carrarese133461115-413
17Salernitana133461318-513
18SudtirolSudtirol134181420-613
19Cittadella13337619-1312
20FrosinoneFrosinone13175818-1010


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