Our prediction for this Serie B match:
Arena Garibaldi – Stadio Romeo Anconetani will host Saturday’s Serie B game between Pisa and Lecce, the two promotion-chasing sides. Pisa aim to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Como which saw them keep top position in the standings, but this match will be anything but a walk in the park for the league leaders. You should know that the Nerazzurri managed to keep three clean sheets in the previous four league fixtures.
Both Alessandro De Vitis and Nicholas Siega are rated doubtful for the hosts. The Giallorossi, on the other, aim to build on back-to-back wins over Spal and Reggina. Considering that Lecce have suffered only one loss in the Serie B this season, we believe that there is a big value in betting on draw. Midfielder Romario Benzar continues to miss out through suspension, while Massimo Coda has yet to overcome from a muscle 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.