Leccevs.Roma

The Apulia outfit claimed their first away victory of the season by defeating Salernitana 1-0 before the hiatus, while the capital club continued their post-Jose Mourinho era with a triumph over struggling Sassuolo a fortnight back.

Match preview

Lecce had not managed an away triumph all season but then faced a pitiful Salernitana side before the international break, unsurprisingly seeing them nick a 1-0 win in Luca Gotti's first game in charge since replacing Roberto D'Aversa.

Facing Roma is a different kettle of fish, as the Salentini have beaten the Rome-based club twice in 35 Serie A encounters, losing a staggering 24 and playing out nine draws.

A 25th loss seems on the cards on Monday, especially as the hosts have lost three of their previous five home matches, failing to score in defeats to Juventus (3-0), Inter (4-0) and relegation-threatened Hellas Verona (1-0).

Despite their position in 13th, Lecce are far from safe, owing to the compactness in the division's bottom half that sees three points separate Lupi from 18th-placed Frosinone after the latter's 1-1 draw at Genoa on Saturday.

The Salentini are expected to lose on Monday, but that could see them looking nervously over their shoulders after gameweek 30.

A 14th league defeat of 2023-24 to Roma will be far from surprising against Daniele De Rossi's men, who have secured 22 points since the Roma icon replaced Mourinho in January.

Only champions-elect Inter (25) have accrued more points in that period, underscoring the away side's upswing since the managerial change at the turn of the year.

While the Giallorossi were never far from Champions League qualification under Mourinho — considering points alone — De Rossi has made the capital club believe the fifth-placed side are set to return to Europe's premier club competition next season after a five-year absence.

Ending fifth could be enough to partake in next term's prestigious club competition, even if it is contingent on how Italian sides fare in the latter stages in Europe in 23-24.

Having seen Atalanta secure a colossal 3-0 win at Napoli on Saturday, Roma will be keen to record another victory over Lecce to maintain their four-point lead over La Dea in the standings.

Lecce Serie A form:

L

L

L

D

L

W

Roma Serie A form:

L

W

W

W

D

W

Roma form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

L

W

Team News

Lecce have no suspended players this weekend, but Lameck Banda (knee) and Mohamed Kaba (knee) are not likely to play. Kastriot Dermaku is undoubtedly missing because of a season-ending ACL injury.

Wladimiro Falcone will play a pivotal role if Lupi are to stun Roma, as the ever-present goalkeeper has outdone everyone in his position for saves (97).

Falcone thwarted Romelu Lukaku from the spot in the reverse fixture at the Olimpico, the only time the Belgian has been unsuccessful from 12 yards in 15 attempts.

Sardar Azmoun may be one yellow from a suspension, but the Roma forward will miss Monday's game anyway because of a hamstring issue. Also absent is Rasmus Kristensen (thigh), who has not played since Roma's win at Monza in early March.

Paulo Dybala and Leonardo Spinazzola are touch-and-go, but Chris Smalling and Renato Sanches could make Rossi's squad on Easter Monday.

Lecce possible starting lineup:

Falcone; Gendrey, Pongracic, Baschiroto, Gallo; Blin, Rafia; Almqvist, Ramadani, Piccoli; Krstovic

Roma possible starting lineup:

Svilar; Karsdorp, Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Bove; Zalewski, Lukaku, El Shaarawy

We say: Lecce 0-2 Roma

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