Our prediction for this Coppa Italia match:
A spot in the Italian Cup last 16 will be at stake when Spezia and Lecce take on each other at Stadio Alberto Picco on Thursday afternoon. The Bianconeri made a slow start to the season, with the team sitting in the danger zone in the Serie A standings ahead of the visit of Lecce. Even though Leo Sena should be the only absentee in the home team, we are not tempted to put our money on Spezia, who seem to be low on spirits.
The Giallorossi, on the other hand, are one of the team to beat in the Serie B. Lecce are eyeing automatic promotion to the Italian top flight, but they have big ambitions for the Italian Cup as well. Lecce are more of a team than Spezia, and we predict that the visitors are going to prove their worth on the field. Romario Benzar is back from the Serie B ban, while Massimo Coda continues to miss out through injury.
Highlighted Player (Fabio Lucioni):
Fabio Lucioni is a product of Ternana football school. Lucioni played for the youth team of Ternana from 2002 to 2005 and he eventually made 14 appearances for the first team. The 185-cm-tall defender played for the likes of Monopoli, Noicattaro, Gela, Barletta, Spezia and Reggina in the past as well before joining Benevento in 2014.
Lucioni has established himself as a first-team regular at the club and it has to be noted that he scored three goals in 46 appearances for Benevento in the 2016/2017 Serie B campaign. The Stregoni secured promotion to the Serie A by beating Carpi in the play-offs final, meaning that Lucioni will have a chance to test a top-flight football in the 2017/2018 season.
Lucioni’s main position is centre-back and his contract with Benevento expires on June 30, 2018. The left-footed defender, who was born in Terni on September 25, 1987, has yet to earn a call-up for the Italian national football team.
Highlighted Team (Lecce):
When you imagine a yellow-red shirt, Lecce must be the first club that comes to your mind. Founded back in 1908, Lecce are Italian club that will compete in the Serie A in the 2019/2020 season. The Giallorossi return to the Italian top flight following a seven-year absence and, as always, they will host their rivals at Stadio Via del Mare.
The venue which was opened on September 11, 1966 can hold up to 33,876 people. The likes of Antonio Conte, Graziano Pelle, Javier Chevanton, Juan Cuadrado, Mirko Vucinic, Fabrizio Miccoli and Massimo Oddo are one of the most notable footballers who played for the Italian club in the past.
Lecce and Gallipoli face each other in the Salento derby and there have been fireworks in meetings between the two clubs since the 2009/2010 Serie B season when they first met in the league.