Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Torinovs.Lecce

sportsmole.co.uk, 13 September 2024, 13:17
Surprise joint Serie A leaders Torino welcome Lecce to Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Sunday, looking to stay level with the clubs atop the table after gameweek four.

The Granata notched consecutive wins before the international to make up for a league-opening draw with AC Milan, and they hope the hiatus does not slow them down going into this weekend's match against a side that claimed their first victory of the 2024-25 campaign in round three.

Match preview

Paolo Vanoli probably never imagined such a promising start to the new term after replacing Ivan Juric in the summer.

Torino have accrued seven points from their first available nine, including a draw with AC Milan (2-2) and a victory over Atalanta (2-1) before their 1-0 success over returning Venezia.

The points on board leave the Turin outfit level with fellow leaders Inter, Juventus and Udinese in the early-season standings, even if they are not anticipated to sustain their strong start.

Nevertheless, supporters will remember last season's four-point-from-nine start which left them 11th in the table and three points worse off than they are now.

That sequence of matches included a 4-1 thrashing against the Rossoneri at San Siro, where they secured a 2-2 draw this time, possibly suggesting the side's improvement 12 months on.

Although Torino are favourites for a third consecutive triumph in a row, Lecce hope to build on a 1-0 victory over Cagliari before the international break, keen to rise in the table after a losing start.

Luca Gotti's men were dealt a bad hand with a gameweek one clash with last season's Europa League winners Atalanta and defending Serie A champions Inter in round two, losing 4-0 and 2-0, respectively.

Their tough start was followed by a 1-0 triumph over Cagliari before the hiatus, with Nikola Krstovic notching Lupi's first goal of 24-25 just before the half-hour.

That success did not come easy, as Patrick Dorgu's sending-off before the interlude left Lecce hunkered down for the second half's entirety, facing 14 shots and conceding two chances considered clear-cut.

Regardless, the Salentini held on for maximum points and they seek consecutive wins for the second time under Gotti after he masterminded a late revival at the backend of last season to end the club's two-year Serie A wait for back-to-back league wins with triumphs against Empoli (1-0) and Sassuolo (3-0) in March.

After going 14 road games without an away victory before Gotti, Lupi have secured two road victories under the 56-year-old and hope for a third against in-form opponents on Sunday.

Torino Serie A form:

D

W

W

Torino form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

Lecce Serie A form:

L

L

W

Lecce form (all competitions):

W

L

L

W

Team News

Nikola Vlasic has a muscle complaint and may not be risked, but Vanoli is not expected to have the pair of Perr Schuurs and Gvidas Gineitis available due to knee injuries.

Summer arrival Che Adams has contributed to two goals (one goal, one assist) since moving abroad, and the Torino man hopes to add to his key involvements this weekend.

The away side are without Dorgu following his dismissal in the 1-0 success against Cagliari, while Mohamed Kaba (knee) is absent.

Despite scoring the game-winning strike before the break, Gotti will hope for improved penalty-box efficiency from Krstovic, who has failed to convert three big chances this term — only Atalanta's Mateo Retegui (four) and Torino's Duvan Zapata (four) have missed more.

Torino possible starting lineup:

Milinkovic-Savic; Vojvoda, Coco, Masina; Lazaro, Ricci, Linetty, Ilic, Sosa; Adams, Zapata

Lecce possible starting lineup:

Falcone; Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo; Ramadani, Pierret; Morente, Oudin, Banda; Krstovic

We say: Torino 1-1 Lecce

Despite Torino's admirable start to the new campaign, Lecce have been better travellers under Gotti, underscored by two road defeats — at San Siro against Milan (3-0) and Inter (2-0) — in six compared to three defeats in seven on their turf.

Thus, the former midfielder will back his side to avoid losing in Turin and avoid a fifth consecutive league loss against the Granata.

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia will play their first game since the devastating DANA storm struck the region when they welcome Real Betis to Mestalla for Saturday's La Liga contest. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides that were glad to see international football intervene will return from a much-needed break on Saturday, as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace meet at Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Johnstone host Kilmarnock this weekend at McDiarmid Park, in a clash between two struggling Scottish Premiership sides. 21 November 2024 talksport.com It would take a lot to humiliate Cole Palmer on a football pitch, but he's revealed what would need to happen to do so. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Iago Aspas is once again expected to start, as Celta Vigo continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a contest against division leaders Barcelona on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are set to again be without the services of a number of important players for Saturday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, including Lamine Yamal, with the Spaniard not yet recovering from an ankle problem. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of the League One table meet on Saturday, as Burton Albion host Stockport County at the Pirelli Stadium. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube video with Mr Beast hit one million views in just 30 minutes. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town and Southampton are all reportedly interested in signing Vasco da Gama youngster Rayan. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga leaders Barcelona will be bidding to bounce back from a surprise defeat before the November international break when they resume their league campaign away to Celta Vigo on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal need a figure up front like Alexander Isak to replace Kai Havertz. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim will take charge of his first game as Manchester United manager this weekend as his side take on Ipswich. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of PSV Eindhoven attacker Ricardo Pepi ahead of the January transfer window. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will be fit to start when the Bees travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portsmouth return from the international break with a trip to Ewood Park for Saturday's Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool and Newcastle United are reportedly set to battle for the signature of Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly leading Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester United are three days away from seeing Ruben Amorim make his touchline debut for the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be aiming to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League table this weekend when they travel to face Southampton. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will reportedly step up their efforts to tie one of their star players down to a new contract after persuading manager Pep Guardiola to stay at the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Neymar has admitted he contemplated retirement as he opened up on his injury hell.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon