Juventus vs Lecce Preview: Predictions, Team News, and Lineups
On Saturday evening, Juventus will host Lecce in a Serie A clash, aiming for a fifth consecutive win. The match is crucial for Juventus as they look to challenge for the Scudetto in 2026, while Lecce fights relegation.
Juventus’ Recent Form
Juventus ended a challenging year by triumphing over Pisa last weekend. This victory keeps them just four points off the Serie A summit and one point away from a Champions League spot. Under new coach Luciano Spalletti, the team has shown significant improvement, winning seven out of their last eight matches across all competitions.
Key player Kenan Yildiz scored twice in the last 20 minutes against Pisa, contributing to the team’s success. Spalletti’s squad has conceded only one goal during this winning streak, with impressive victories against direct rivals Roma and Bologna. They also secured a place in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.
Juventus vs. Lecce Historical Context
- Juventus has not lost their first league game of a calendar year since 2013.
- In 22 home matches against Lecce, Juventus has scored in all but one.
- Lecce’s only victory in Turin came in April 2004.
Lecce’s Challenges
Lecce enters this match in a difficult situation. After a brief resurgence that included two wins from three matches, they fell to a heavy 3-0 defeat to Como. Currently, they sit above the relegation zone but have struggled in recent outings, failing to score in six of their last ten matches.
The Salentini’s attack, led by Nikola Stulic, has not produced enough goals, with Stulic managing just one since his summer arrival. The team has also faced injuries, with key players Mergim Berisha and Riccardo Sottil unavailable.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Juventus welcomes back Francisco Conceicao, while they will miss Daniele Rugani, Federico Gatti, and Dusan Vlahovic. Lois Openda is expected to lead the attack with support from Yildiz, who currently has ten goal involvements this season.
Lecce’s defense will include Kialonda Gaspar, recently available after Africa Cup of Nations duties. Mohamed Kaba and Ylber Ramadani will form the midfield, with Ramadani being instrumental in passes attempted and completed this season.
| Team | Predicted Starting Lineup |
|---|---|
| Juventus | Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Koopmeiners; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Openda |
| Lecce | Falcone; Veiga, Gaspar, Gabriel, Gallo; Kaba, Ramadani; Pierotti, Helgason, Banda; Stulic |
Match Prediction
Juventus is expected to continue their winning streak, aiming for a 2-0 victory over Lecce. The Bianconeri’s resurgence should allow them to secure three points, especially as Lecce struggles away from home.
