As the 2023/24 Italian Serie A season nears its end, the race for European spots and relegation battles intensify.
The clash between Napoli and Lecce at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 26, 2024, promises excitement as both teams aim for a positive finish.
Match Preview
Napoli, currently placed 10th with 52 points, prepares to face 14th-placed Lecce, who have accumulated 37 points.
The hosts enter this round of fixtures following a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina in Serie A last weekend.
Although Napoli took an early lead in the 8th minute, they found themselves trailing 2-1 at halftime. However, a 57th-minute equalizer earned them a valuable point.
Napoli’s recent form has been a cause for concern, as they have failed to register a victory in their last six matches across all competitions.
Notable draws include matches against Frosinone and Roma at home, as well as an away draw against Udinese.
Additionally, Napoli suffered defeats against Empoli and Bologna, impacting their aspirations.
Napoli’s record displays a single win from their last ten Serie A matches, leading to increased scrutiny. Nevertheless, their home ground presents a formidable challenge for any opponent.
Napoli remains unbeaten in nine of their last eleven home Serie A fixtures.
However, they have not tasted victory in their previous five home league encounters, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last nine Serie A games at home.
Lecce also enters the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona following a 2-0 home defeat against Atalanta in Serie A.
Despite a goalless first half, Atalanta broke the deadlock in the 48th minute and added a second only five minutes later to secure the win.
The team’s recent form has been disappointing, as they have been unable to secure a victory in their last four Serie A matches.
Draws against Monza at home and Cagliari away, along with a 2-0 home loss to Udinese, have hindered their progress.
However, Lecce has shown resilience in their away games, being undefeated in four of their last five away Serie A matches. Moreover, they have managed to find the back of the net in each of those four fixtures.
Team News & Updates:
Napoli will face this crucial match without the services of injured players Victor Osimhen, Pierluigi Gollini, Mario Rui, and Piotr Zielinski.
Additionally, doubts persist regarding the fitness of Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Lecce, on the other hand, travels with a trio of injured players – Nicola Sansone, Lameck Banda, and Kastriot Dermaku.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Kaba’s availability remains uncertain due to a knee problem.
Prediction & Analysis:
Napoli’s aim is to secure an 8th-place finish and secure a spot in the Europa Conference League for the next season.
However, their recent struggles at home raise doubts about their chances. Taking Napoli’s home form into account, our prediction suggests a draw with under 2.5 goals scored in this match.
