Lecce vs Fiorentina Prediction: Lilies can return to winning ways

Friday night (19:45) brings with it the first game of the Serie A weekend, as out-of-form Lecce host a Fiorentina side that have had their own troubles of late.

Roberto D’Aversa’s hosts suffered their third-straight defeat at Genoa last time out, leaving the side from South-East Italy just three points above the relegation zone.

The Viola, meanwhile, are winless in three games after losing to league leaders Inter Milan, with Vicenzo Italiano’s side now only holding onto sixth place by goal difference.

Team News

A yellow card in the 95th minute in his last game means that Albanian midfielder Ylber Ramadani will miss this encounter through suspension.

He joins fellow countryman, and only other absentee for Lecce, Kastriot Dermaku on the sidelines, with the defender out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

Fiorentina have their share of injury and suspension issues, with Jonathan Ikone’s booking against Inter meaning he will be ruled out for this encounter.

Dodo, Riccardo Sottil and Gaetano Castrovilli will all miss out through injury, while Christian Kouame remains at the Africa Cup of Nations after his Ivory Coast side eliminated reigning champions Senegal on penalties in the round of 16.

Match Odds

Fiorentina edge the markets as favourites for this Serie A clash at 11/10, whereas Lecce have odds of 11/4 to claim the victory.

The draw can be backed at 11/5, while Nicolas Gonzalez to score anytime is available at 21/10.

Fiorentina to win to nil @ 11/5

2024 has not begun kindly for Italiano’s men, with Fiorentina’s only triumph of the calendar year to date coming on penalties in the Coppa Italia against Bologna.

Two defeats and a draw in the league to begin the new year has seen the Viola stumble in their pursuit of another European campaign, with two points now separating them from Atalanta in the final Champions League spot.

This meeting with Lecce may therefore be coming at the perfect time to get Fiorentina back to winning ways, with Friday’s hosts having won just one of their last 18 games in all competitions.

D’Aversa’s men have been poor in front of goal during that run as well, finding the back of the net just twice in their last six games.

An extension to this abject run of form is expected on Friday, especially given that Lecce have beaten Fiorentina just once in their last six meetings.

Under 2.5 goals @ 8/13

A low-scoring encounter is expected between these two, given that just four sides have scored fewer goals than Lecce’s 21 in Serie A this season.

Fiorentina have also struggled with clinicality away from home, failing to score more than once in each of their last eight games on the road.

All this indicates that those searching for a Friday feast of goals may need to look elsewhere.

You can find all our latest Football Betting Tips over at our Insights hub.