Leccevs.Udinese

While the Salentini's recent revival has edged them clear of the Serie A drop zone, their visitors are intent on claiming a top-10 finish.

Match preview

After coming closest to scoring through an early free kick from Thorir Helgason, who struck the top of the crossbar, Lecce ultimately had to settle for a 0-0 result against rock-bottom Monza last weekend.

While they may have been targeting victory given the circumstances, the Salento club still moved five points clear of 18th-placed Parma and further improved their survival prospects.

Along with Juventus, Lecce have now recorded the most goalless draws this season (four), following another stalemate at home to Bologna in their first February fixture.

Since Marco Giampaolo replaced Luca Gotti, the Giallorossi have certainly become tougher to score against, and posting back-to-back clean sheets has extended their undefeated streak to three.

However, both of Lecce's last two league wins came away from home - 3-1 victories over Empoli and Parma - and they have not tasted success at Via del Mare since December, when beating Serie B-bound Monza.

While their hosts are still battling the grim spectre of relegation, Udinese are on track to secure mid-table safety this season - a sweet relief, after last year's close brush with the drop.

Firming up their place in the top half, the Friulani swept aside struggling Empoli last week, having previously held Serie A leaders Napoli to a 1-1 draw.

Midfielder Jurgen Ekkelenkamp took his tally to three goals in two games and captain Florian Thauvin also got on the scoresheet as Udinese found the net three times for a second successive home game.

Sitting 10th in the Serie A standings, Kosta Runjaic's side are realistically too far back to mount a late push for Europe, but the German coach has already fulfilled his brief of reviving an underperforming squad.

Now, the Bianconeri seek a repeat of October's reverse fixture against Lecce, when Jordan Zemura scored the only goal in Udine; when they last travelled down to Via del Mare, top scorer Lorenzo Lucca netted in a 2-0 win.

Lecce Serie A form:

W

L

L

W

D

D

Udinese Serie A form:

D

L

L

W

D

W

Team News

Lecce continue to enjoy good fortune on the injury front, as only long-term absentees Filip Marchwinski and Joan Gonzalez will definitely miss Friday's game.

Nicola Sansone should now be available, and Medon Berisha has recovered from an illness, so Marco Giampaolo has plenty of options to choose from.

Sure to lead the hosts' attack, Nikola Krstovic has seven league goals to his name this season, and the Montenegrin striker is usually supported by Santiago Pierotti and Tete Morente.

Meanwhile, Udinese's main marksman Lorenzo Lucca needs one more strike to hit double figures for the first time in a single Serie A campaign.

Florian Thauvin - who has just ended a goal drought dating back to December - generally links up with the towering frontman, while Alexis Sanchez stands ready to make an impact from the bench.

Once again, the Fruilani will be without Isaak Toure and Maduka Okoye due to injury, but Keinan Davis should return in time to make the long trip south.

Lecce possible starting lineup:

Falcone; Guilbert, Baschirotto, Jean, Gallo; Pierret, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Helgason, Morente; Krstovic

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Sava; Kristensen, Bijol, Solet, Kamara; Atta, Lovric, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp; Thauvin, Lucca

We say: Lecce 1-2 Udinese

After suffering a mid-season dip, Udinese have recently put together an impressive run of results - and they now have the firepower to test teams of all statures.

Written by

Jonathan O'Shea

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