In a crucial battle near the bottom of Serie A, Lecce host relegation rivals Spezia at Stadio Via del Mare on Sunday.

Separated by two points in the standings with just three games left to play, the hosts hold a slim advantage over their Ligurian visitors, who would leapfrog the 16th-placed Salentini with a win.

Match preview

Defying both the odds and the form book, Lecce came within minutes of toppling Lazio last weekend, when Remi Oudin struck twice at Stadio Olimpico but then saw his team denied by a late Sergej Milinkovic-Savic leveller.

Nonetheless, a creditable 2-2 draw with the Champions League-chasers leaves Marco Baroni's men two points clear of the Serie A drop zone and with their destiny still in their own hands.

Lecce have, though, lost three of their last five matches - to Milan, Juventus and survival rivals Hellas Verona - and over the last 12 matchdays they have picked up the fewest points of any club, including rock-bottom Sampdoria.

Now aiming to avoid defeat for two consecutive games for the first time since February, the Giallorossi are acutely aware that success against Spezia would move them within touching distance of securing another top-flight campaign.

Last year's Serie B champions adapted to life among Italy's elite with apparent ease before the winter break, but after several months of toil subsequently, they would now be delighted to scramble over the line and recalibrate during the summer.

Outside of the relegation zone only by virtue of a superior head-to-head record against Verona, Spezia have also slid closer to the trapdoor of late, but a remarkable turn of fortunes last week certainly revived their hopes of Serie A salvation.

After holding Champions League semi-finalists Milan goalless heading into the final 20 minutes at Stadio Picco, the Aquilotti then soared to a precious 2-0 success via goals from Przemyslaw Wisniewski and Salvatore Esposito - the latter curling a superb free-kick past Mike Maignan to seal the deal.

Curiously, amid an otherwise barren run, Spezia's last two wins have now come against Milan and Inter, while their last seven league goals have been scored by seven different players.

Having been without leading marksman M'Bala Nzola on several occasions this spring, the Ligurian side have struggled to find the net regularly - and they were still found lacking during a 0-0 draw with Lecce in January's reverse fixture despite the striker's presence up front.

They have failed to score in exactly half of their fixtures played throughout 2023, but after such a morale-boosting win last time out, Spezia can now seek successive league victories for the first time in more than a year.

Team News

In the absence of captain Morten Hjulmand, who sustained a thigh injury last week, Lecce are likely to ask Joan Gonzalez to plug the gap in midfield, while Lameck Banda's suspension also necessitates a change further forward.

Federico Di Francesco is poised to replace the latter on the left of a front three, with top scorer Gabriel Strefezza certain to start on the right. The Brazilian winger has been directly involved in 11 league goals so far this season - eight of his own and three assists.

In the centre of the hosts' attacking triumvirate, Milan loanee Lorenzo Colombo must hold off competition from Assan Ceesay to lead the line.

Spezia, meanwhile, will be without French full-back Kelvin Amian due to a one-match ban for accumulated bookings, and with Emil Holm still sidelined, coach Leonardo Semplici could offer a rare start to Salva Ferrer on the right flank.

Jacopo Sala (calf), Simone Bastoni and Daniel Maldini (both thigh) are also out of action due to injury, but Kevin Agudelo returns following suspension and could play a part at some stage.

Lecce possible starting lineup:
Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Umtiti, Gallo; Gonzalez, Blin, Oudin; Strefezza, Colombo, Di Francesco

Spezia possible starting lineup:
Dragowski; Wisniewksi, Ampadu, Nikolaou; Ferrer, Ekdal, Esposito, Bourabia, Reca; Gyasi, Nzola

We say: Lecce 1-0 Spezia

Lecce can celebrate their 600th Serie A fixture by securing a crucial win that could effectively keep them in the top flight. Spezia do not travel well - 11 losses from 17 away games attest to that - and they could be left hoping Verona do not capitalise on another slip-up at Via del Mare.


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