Our prediction for this Serie A match:
Empoli
Match Time & Date:
11/12/2023
18:30
Prediction: 1-1
Lecce
Empoli will be aiming to escape the danger zone when they take on Lecce in the Serie A round 15. The Azzurri came from behind to share the spoils with Genoa in their last league match, but they need to start winning on a regular basis if they are to secure yet another top flight survival. Matteo Cancellieri is pushing for a start after scoring as a substitute in the last league match, whereas both Tommaso Baldanzi and Giuseppe Pezzella are out of contention with injuries.
The Giallorossi failed to win the previous nine league matches and, no doubt, they are desperate to return to winning ways in the Italian top flight. As both sides will go for a win in Sunday’s clash, we are tempted to put our money on both teams to score. Jeppe Corfitzen misses out with a shoulder injury, while Mohamed Kaba is a major doubt.
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.
