Sassuolo vs Lecce Prediction: Lauriente can extend hot streak in front of goal

The dark cloud that has appeared over Sassuolo for much of the 2023/24 season appears to be lifting somewhat, with I Neroverdi beaten just once in their last five matches and now two points off Serie A safety.

A huge game awaits at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday (KO, 11:30 - TNT Sports 1) as they face relegation rivals Lecce, who are 13th but just six points ahead of their hosts this weekend. Below is my Sassuolo vs Lecce prediction ahead of a clash that could have huge ramifications at the bottom end of the table.

Sassuolo suffered four-straight defeats from mid-February but subsequently broke out of an eight-game winless run to record a 1-0 victory over Frosinone on March 9. A narrow 1-0 loss at AS Roma followed before a hat-trick of draws against Udinese (1-1), Salernitana (2-2) and AC Milan (3-3).

Davide Ballardini's side were actually two goals in front before 10 minutes against I Rossoneri and were leading 3-2 until Noah Okafor's 84th-minute equaliser.

Lecce secured an important result themselves last weekend as they beat Empoli 1-0 to give themselves a bit of breathing space from the relegation zone. I Giallorossi have lost just once in their last four games - a 3-0 defeat at AC Milan - and are nearing Serie A safety.

Team News

Sassuolo are still missing injured trio Domenico Berardi, Samu Castillejo and Marcus Pedersen, while Jeremy Toljan is set for a late fitness test after lasting just nine minutes before being substituted against Milan last week.

Ruan Tressoldi replaced the German full-back in that game and is on standby to start if he doesn't pull through for Sunday.

Lecce have a trio of injury absentees themselves with Kastriot Dermaku, Mohamed Kaba and Lameck Banda ruled out of the contest in Reggio Emilia.

Swedish midfielder Pontus Almqvist is also ruled out through suspension.

Match Odds

Sassuolo are 13/10 to beat Lecce at home in back-to-back seasons, having beaten them there 1-0 in August 2022. That gives them an implied win probability of 43.5%, while the visitors are given a 32.3% chance at odds of 21/10.

The reverse fixture in Lecce in October finished in a 1-1 draw, and it's 12/5 for another stalemate on Sunday, while both teams to score can be found at 8/11.

Sassuolo or draw & both teams to score @ 5/4

Sassuolo have been the team to watch in the last couple of weeks, sharing six goals with AC Milan and four with Salernitana. In fact, both teams have scored in their last three games, and only Frosinone (24) and Cagliari (22) have been involved in more matches with BTTS - Yes than I Neroverdi (20) this term.

15 of Lecce's 32 games in the Italian top-flight have ended with a goal on either side, though most of those came in the first half of the campaign with only one of their last nine ending that way. They've failed to score in two of their last three outings, but should find some joy against a Sassuolo defence that has been breached 62 this season - only Salernitana (68) and Frosinone (63) have shipped more goals.

I can see both sides scoring on Sunday, but Sassuolo should be able to extend their unbeaten run to four games. They've not lost any of their last three at home, while Lecce have won just once away all season - a 1-0 victory over bottom-club Salernitana last month.

Anytime goal scorer - Armand Lauriente @ 11/4

After scoring seven in 28 Serie A appearances last season, hopes were high for Armand Lauriente at the start of the current campaign. However, the Frenchman managed just a solitary goal in his first 30 games, and Sassuolo looked bereft of ideas without Berardi in attack.

It's all started to click for Lauriente recently, though, as he struck the opener in his side's 2-2 with Salernitana before bagging a brace against the giants of AC Milan last time out.

The 25-year-old is a player surely on the radar of bigger clubs, and he will be looking to end his season on a high in order to attract suitors.

11/4 for him as an anytime goal scorer on Sunday feels pretty generous considering his red-hot form in front of goal this month.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.