Lecce vs Udinese Prediction: 9/2 midfielder to strike again

Lecce’s laboured battle to steer themselves clear of the Serie A relegation zone continues on Friday when they welcome to the Via del Mare an Udinese side looking for a late run at European contention (20:45 local, 19:45 GMT).

The Giallorossi have struggled all season to score goals, leaving them just five points above the drop zone with a third of the campaign to play. My Lecce vs Udinese predictions follow, alongside team news and match odds.

Team News

Marco Giampaolo has a relatively clean bill of health among his Lecce squad ahead of this one, with only Joan Gonzalez and Filip Marchwinski certain to miss the visit of the Friulani.

Gonzalez has been out all season with a heart issue, while Marchwinski is a long-term absentee due to knee ligament damage.

Elsewhere, the home side have Medon Berisha back after illness, and Nicola Sansone could return after an undisclosed injury which has kept him out since early January.

Udinese should continue with Florian Thauvin alongside Lorenzo Lucca up top after the club captain netted in the 3-0 win over Empoli last time out.

Keinan Davis could be back in contention after two months out with a muscle injury in his right leg which was first detected after a training session ahead of December’s trip to Monza.

Isaak Toure (knee) and Maduka Okoye (wrist) are still unavailable to head coach Kosta Runjaic.

Lecce vs Udinese Odds

There’s not a lot separating these two sides in the betting markets, with Betfred making Udinese only slight favourites to take home the points on Friday.

Lecce are a 15/8 shot, implying a 34.8% probability of the hosts coming out on top, while Udinese are 6/4 (40% chance).

Given that the Salentini have lost 12 of 25 matches so far this season, that 6/4 looks a generous price for the away win.

If you’re looking at the draw, which has happened in five of Udinese’s 12 home games this season, that’s available at 11/5. At an implied 31.3%, that’s another appealing bet given the 41.7% conversion rate of the tie at the Via del Mare in 2024/25.

Udinese to win to nil @ 11/4

This tip is largely based on the fact Lecce have one of the most pitiful attacks in the top leagues of Europe. Only Real Valladolid have a poorer goal return in the continent’s top five divisions, and they sit eight points adrift of safety in La Liga.

The Giallorossi’s nine goals in 12 home fixtures is the second-worst return in Serie A (Empoli have scored five), and while Giampaolo has started to get better defensive showings out of his side the fortunes in front of goal simply are not improving.

Udinese, meanwhile, are starting to make goals from all over the park. While Lecce have 18 in total to their name, 13 different Zebrette players have netted this term.

Taking everything into account, I can well see Udinese overcoming a Lecce side whose last home goal came back in December last year.

Football Odds

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp anytime goalscorer @ 9/2

I’m shooting my shot with this one. Two games ago, Ekkelenkamp had zero goals to his name in 19 Serie A appearances since arriving last summer from Royal Antwerp. But after an opportunist strike against Napoli claimed a point for Udinese, he followed up with two goals in the win over Empoli.

His finishes in that 3-0 success in particular pointed to a midfielder showing the knack of getting into good positions to mop up loose balls in the area, and like any player with a bit of confidence in front of the target I can see him having opportunities again on Friday.

The Dutchman could well pick up spaces in good areas against a Lecce side who have become increasingly resolute deeper but may have to sacrifice acreage in other parts of the pitch.

Streaks don’t go on forever, especially for midfielders, but 9/2 for a guy with three in two games and a huge dose of belief makes my eyes light up.

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