Our prediction for this Serie A match:
Empoli
Match Time & Date:
03/04/2023
18:30
Prediction: 1-0
Lecce
Following a 2-1 defeat to Atalanta, Empoli will look to put an end to their four-game losing run in Serie A when they take on Lecce on Matchday 28. The Azzurri do not seem to be at their sharpest, but they are still nine points clear of the relegation zone. Fit-again forward Mattia Destro should play some part in Sunday’s clash, while both Guglielmo Vicario and Nicolo Cambiaghi are major doubts, and the duo will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
The Giallorossi suffered a loss in each of their last four league fixtures as well, and given their difficulties in front of goal, home win should be considered. Both Samuel Umtiti and Youssef Maleh are banned for the match, while Kastriot Dermaku and Marin Pongracic are major doubts, and the duo will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
Highlighted Player (Mattia Destro):
Mattia Destro started his youth career at Ascoli, but in 2005 he moved to Inter. The Italian attacker, though, made his debut in the Serie A with Genoa in the 2010/2011 season. He scored 2 goals in 16 appearances for the Rossoblu and at the end of the season he signed a deal with Siena. Destro netted 12 goals for Siena in 30 league appearances for the club and on 30 July, 2012 he joined fellow Serie A team Roma for a fee of €8.5 million.
The Italian footballer made his debut for the capital club on 2 September, 2012 in a 3-1 victory over Inter. Destro scored 24 goals for Roma between 2012 and 2015 and after ending his loan spell with Milan he joined Bologna on 20 August, 2015.
Speaking of his international career, the Bologna forward has 15 caps for Italy U21 and he made his debut for the senior team on 15 August, 2012 against England at Wembley Stadium. He made Italy’s 2014 provisional FIFA World Cup squad, but he eventually failed to make the final roster.
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.
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