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Lecce logo
Serie A | Gameweek 16
Dec 15, 2024 at 11.30am UK
Stadio Comunale Via del Mare
Monza

Lecce
vs.
Monza

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

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

Separated by three points in the Serie A standings, and sitting either side of the dotted line, relegation rivals Lecce and Monza will meet on Sunday.

The visitors head for Stadio Via del Mare on the back of a long winless run, while their hosts' recent revival was quelled last weekend.


Match preview

Nikola Krstovic of Lecce, October 2024© Imago

Having previously pulled level on points with last week's opponents Roma, after the arrival of new coach Marco Giampaolo brought about an uptick in fortunes, Lecce were still in contention to surpass their hosts at half time.

A penalty converted by Nikola Krstovic sent them down the tunnel all square at 1-1, but the Salentini's second-half collapse then saw Claudio Ranieri's men run out 4-1 winners at Stadio Olimpico.

Responding to a change of management, Lecce had finally posted their first away win at Venezia, then snatched a last-gasp point at home to Juventus, but that brief unbeaten streak was swiftly ended in the Eternal City.

Still heavily reliant on Krstovic - who has scored as many times in one UEFA Nations League match with Montenegro as for his club this season - the Giallorossi have registered the fewest different scorers in Serie A: only four so far.

They will therefore be keen to step up a gear against one of the few teams below them in the table, having previously gone undefeated through four top-flight meetings with Monza to date.

The pair played out a 1-1 draw in their last encounter, April's league clash at Via del Mare, when Krstovic scored what seemed to be a winner in the 92nd minute, before Monza skipper Matteo Pessina dramatically struck back from the spot.

Monza coach Alessandro Nesta, November 2024© Imago

Looking up at 16th-placed Lecce, Monza are mired in the Serie A drop zone ahead of Sunday's game, with just 10 points on the board so far.

That meagre tally is less than half of the 21 they had collected by this stage last season, representing the largest such deficit of any team in the Italian top flight.

Alessandro Nesta's men are winless in seven matches after suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Udinese on Monday, leaving them in 19th place approaching the halfway point of their 2024-25 campaign.

The Brianzoli have not tasted success since October and were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia last week, so a lengthy survival fight now looms for a club that secured safe mid-table finishes in both seasons since their historic promotion.

There is a glimmer of hope for Monza fans this week, though, as they have picked up 70% of their points on the road - the highest share throughout Serie A.

Lecce Serie A form:

Monza Serie A form:


Monza form (all competitions):



Team News

Lecce coach Marco Giampaolo on December 1, 2024© Imago

Lecce will be without two members of their regular back four this weekend, as Kialonda Gaspar has joined Antonino Gallo on the sidelines due to injury; Lameck Banda, Kevin Bonifazi and Filip Marchwinski are also ruled out.

Andy Pelmard - a possible defensive replacement - has been laid low by illness and is therefore a doubt, but in better news for Marco Giampaolo, midfielder Balthazar Pierret has returned to full training.

Leading the hosts' attack, Nikola Krstovic scored in both games against Monza last season, while Ante Rebic and Patrick Dorgu should provide his supply from out wide.

Meanwhile, Monza's main threat may not come from veteran striker Milan Djuric but Greek wing-back Georgios Kyriakopoulos, whose recent strike against Udinese took him on to five goal involvements for the season - that already equals his best Serie A tally.

Dany Mota and Daniel Maldini are set to support Djuric in the final third, though the claims of Gianluca Caprari cannot be counted out.

Once again, the Biancorossi are without injured goalkeeper Alessio Cragno, and midfield duo Roberto Gagliardini and Matteo Pessina - the latter pair's fitness issues have accelerated a potential loan move for Chelsea's Cesare Casadei.


Lecce possible starting lineup:
Falcone; Guilbert, Baschirotto, Jean, Pelmard; Coulibaly, Rafia, Ramadani; Rebic, Krstovic, Dorgu

Monza possible starting lineup:
Turati; Izzo, Mari, Carboni; Birindelli, Bianco, Bondo, Kyriakopoulos; Maldini, Mota; Djuric


SM words green background

We say: Lecce 1-2 Monza

Crosses and set-pieces could play a part in this game's outcome, as Monza have conceded the most headed goals in Serie A (eight), with Lecce lying joint-second (six) in those rankings.

The visitors' wait for a win may come to its end, as their hosts are still unstable at the back and are by far the lowest scorers in Italy's top flight.


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




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Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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Data Failed

Who will win Sunday's Serie A clash between Lecce and Monza?

Lecce
Draw
Monza
Lecce
66.7%
Draw
0.0%
Monza
33.3%
3
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Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei in September 2024.
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1Atalanta BCAtalanta15111338172134
2Napoli15102321101132
3Inter Milan1494134151931
4Fiorentina1494128101831
5Lazio15101430171331
6Juventus1569024101427
7AC Milan146442416822
8Bologna145722018222
9Udinese156271822-420
10Empoli154741415-119
11Roma154471821-316
12Torino154471620-416
13Parma153662125-415
14Genoa153661324-1115
15CagliariCagliari153571525-1014
16Lecce15348826-1813
17Como152671628-1212
18Hellas VeronaHellas Verona1540111837-1912
19Monza151771319-610
20VeneziaVenezia1523101327-149


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