Our prediction for this Serie B match:
All eyes will be on Stadio Guido Teghil when Pordenone and Lecce face each other in the Serie B round 19. Pordenone failed to impress in the first half of the season, with the team sitting in the relegation zone with only eight points in their pocket. The relegation-threatened hosts face yet another must-win game against Lecce, but given their shaky defence, home win should not be considered.
Defender Nicola Falasco is sidelined through suspension, while all Alessio Sabbione, Hamza El Kaouakibi, and Gianvito Misuraca are rated doubtful for the game. The Giallorossi, on the other hand, aim to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Pisa. Lecce are eager to climb to automatic promotion places, and they should take advantage of Pordenone’s anything but solid defence. Midfielder Romario Benzar is banned for the visitors, while Paganini, Vera, Bleve, and Pisacane should recover in time to face Pordenone.
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.