This weekend, Serie A leaders Napoli will aim to maintain their dominance at the top of the table as they host Lecce at Stadio Maradona. The match promises to be a crucial encounter for both teams, with Napoli seeking their fourth consecutive win while Lecce struggles to escape the relegation zone.
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Current Form Analysis
Napoli has shown resilience this season, recently securing a 2-1 victory over Empoli thanks to a penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. This victory marks their fourth-best start in the last 20 years, accumulating 19 points from eight matches under the management of Antonio Conte.
The team’s defensive prowess has been notable, maintaining a clean sheet in four of their last five league games, and they’ve only conceded one goal during this run.
Meanwhile, Lecce’s form has been concerning, currently sitting second-bottom in the table after a disheartening 6-0 loss to Fiorentina. With just five points and the fewest goals scored across Europe’s top leagues, Lecce’s situation is dire.
They are looking for a turnaround, especially after a disastrous home defeat that led to a crisis meeting between coach Luca Gotti and the club’s president.
Head-to-Head History
Historically, Napoli has dominated recent meetings with Lecce, winning the last four encounters without conceding a goal. However, Lecce has managed to remain unbeaten in their last three league visits to Naples, creating a sense of hope despite their current struggles.
Injury News
For Napoli, Stanislav Lobotka remains sidelined due to a thigh strain, and Billy Gilmour is expected to continue in midfield. Goalkeeper Alex Meret is back in training but his participation is uncertain.
Romelu Lukaku, close to reaching a significant milestone with 100 goal involvements in Serie A, will be supported by Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano in attack.
Lecce, on the other hand, will be without suspended defender Antonino Gallo, which could lead to changes in their lineup. They are also dealing with injuries to Kevin Bonifazi, Filip Marchwinski, and Medon Berisha. Danish winger Patrick Dorgu might shift back to full-back, allowing for potential starts for Lameck Banda or Tete Morente.
Predicted Lineups
Napoli:
Caprile; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Gilmour; Politano, McTominay, Kvaratskhelia; Lukaku
Lecce:
Falcone; Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Dorgu; Ramadani, Pierret; Banda, Oudin, Rebic; Krstovic
Match Outlook
With Napoli riding high on confidence and momentum, they are expected to extend their winning streak against a struggling Lecce side that is yet to find their footing this season. If Lecce is unable to address their scoring woes and defensive frailties, they risk finishing the week at the bottom of the standings.
