Preview: Lecce vs. Empoli - prediction, team news, lineups

After ekeing out a draw in their derby with Fiorentina, the visitors will aim to secure their first victory of the season, having endured an awful calendar year so far.

Match preview

Having returned to the top flight by narrowly missing out on a point against Inter on the opening day, Lecce's first road trip back in the Italian elite saw them return south empty-handed too, as they were beaten by Sassuolo.

Only Domenico Berardi's wonderstrike split the sides in Emilia-Romagna, but a second straight one-goal defeat leaves Marco Baroni's men pointless so far.

Last season's Serie B champions now find themselves on a three-match losing streak, having also crashed out of the Coppa Italia to Cittadella earlier this month.

However, the Giallorossi's intent must step up a notch on Sunday, as they encounter a potential relegation rival on home soil - the sort of fixture they will surely need to take three points from more often than not.

Though it has been a while since their paths crossed in the top flight - back in 2006 - Lecce have lost only one of 10 home matches against Empoli in either Serie A or Serie B, so at least precedent is on their side.

Empoli approach their second away game of the new season in similar shape to their hosts, as they too followed a cup exit to Serie B opponents with defeat on the opening day.

After losses to SPAL and then Spezia, Paolo Zanetti's side may have feared another was to follow last weekend, when Sebastiano Luperto was shown a red card in the second half of their Tuscan derby against Fiorentina. They held out for a goalless draw, though, and got off the mark in terms of points, if not goals.

Despite ultimately finishing 14th last season, upon their latest return to the top flight, Empoli's fortunes have faltered significantly after a bright start last year, and they were somewhat fortunate to avoid relegation under former coach Aurelio Andreazzoli.

After replacing Serie A's oldest coach with the league's youngest, the Azzurri had hoped for a fresh start - though appointing a manager who steered Venezia to demotion raised eyebrows in some quarters.

Zanetti has been unable to arrest Empoli's slide, and they are one of three sides yet to score a goal this term. Not only that, but they have also lost five of their last six league games on the road - as many as in their previous 18.

Lecce Serie A form:

Lecce form (all competitions):

Empoli Serie A form:

Empoli form (all competitions):

Team News

In a week when the arrival of Samuel Umtiti from Barcelona gave their survival hopes a significant shot in the arm, Lecce received more good news when Morten Hjulmand and Federico Di Francesco both recovered from knocks sustained last weekend to rejoin training.

The latter, who played 26 games and scored five goals for Empoli last term, should start up front, while Hjulmand features in midfield.

However, defensive duo Mert Cetin and Kastriot Dermaku remain sidelined, as the hosts seek a first clean sheet of the season. That leaves new loan signing Marin Pongracic to compete with Alexis Blin to start in the back four.

Empoli will certainly make at least one change in defence, as Sebastiano Luperto must serve a suspension for his sending-off against Fiorentina, and he could be replaced by Juventus loanee Koni De Winter.

Despite firing blanks so far, the visitors' front two should be formed by summer signings Mattia Destro and Sam Lammers, with Albania international Nedim Bajrami providing support from behind.

Destro has been directly involved in three goals in three previous matches against Lecce, but has not scored in Serie A since February, for former club Genoa.

Lecce possible starting lineup:

Falcone; Gendrey, Tuia, Pongracic, Gallo; Bistrovic, Hjulmand, Helgason; Strefezza, Ceesay, Di Francesco

Empoli possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Stojanovic, Ismajli, De Winter, Parisi; Henderson, Marin, Bandinelli; Bajrami; Lammers, Destro

We say: Lecce 1-0 Empoli

A single goal could decide the points' destiny on Sunday, as both sides keep coming up short in the final third. With home advantage on their side, Lecce should edge it; leaving Empoli floundering near the foot of the table.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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