Lecce is set to visit Bologna’s Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Sunday, aiming to secure a long-awaited victory in Serie A. Their last success against Bologna was back in 2011, marking a 15-year drought. Currently positioned 18th, Lecce has struggled on the road, with the third-worst away record in the league.
Recent Form and Challenges
Lecce recently experienced a glimmer of hope with a 2-1 victory over Cremonese. However, this was followed by three consecutive losses, including a heavy 3-0 defeat against Atalanta BC. They enter this match with 27 points, equal with 17th-placed Cremonese, who face Cagliari in a critical relegation battle.
To move out of the relegation zone, Lecce must not only achieve victory but also rely on favorable outcomes from the Cremonese–Cagliari match.
Bologna’s Current Situation
Bologna, historically successful against Lecce, has won their last four encounters with an aggregate score of 10-2. Despite this success, they face their own issues after a European defeat to Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-final, losing 3-1 in the first leg. This result compounds their league troubles, as they have lost four of their last five home games, including setbacks against Hellas Verona and Lazio.
Team News
Bologna will be without Lewis Ferguson due to suspension after his red card against Cremonese. Additionally, Thijs Dallinga, Charalampos Lykogiannis, Benjamin Dominguez, and Lukasz Skorupski are sidelined with injuries. Young forward Jonathan Rowe, who has scored in recent matches, is expected to maintain his starting position. Riccardo Orsolini may return to the lineup after missing out against Aston Villa.
- Bologna Potential Lineup:
- Ravaglia; Zortea, Heggem, Lucumi, Miranda; Frueler, Moro; Orsolini, Sohm, Rowe; Castro
On the Lecce side, they will assess injuries to Antonio Gallo and Francesco Camarda ahead of the match, while Kialonda Gaspar, Riccardo Sottil, and Medon Berisha are unavailable. Lecce’s scoring struggles are evident, with Walid Cheddira netting just once this season.
- Lecce Potential Lineup:
- Falcone; Veiga, Siebert, Gabriel, Ndaba; Ramadani, Ngom; Pierotti, Coulibaly, Banda; Cheddira
Match Prediction
Considering their historical struggles, Lecce’s fight for survival may give them an edge in this crucial match. Bologna’s poor home performance could lead to an unexpected result. A draw seems likely, with a predicted score of 1-1, allowing Lecce to enhance their survival chances while snapping their winless streak against Bologna.
