Struggling Lecce welcome AC Milan to the Stadio Ettore Giardiniero on Saturday for a Serie A clash. The Rossoneri are below their best at the moment but given their fine record against the hosts, should have the upper hand here.
There is a real threat of relegation looming for Lecce, who sit just three points above the relegation zone. They are on a four-match winless run, suffering successive 1-0 defeats to Udinese and Fiorentina in their last two Serie A fixtures.
A major concern for Lecce is their poor form at home where they are winless in their last five matches. Marco Giampaolo’s men often struggle against the big sides, losing 4-0 to Inter Milan while a 2-1 defeat to Lazio is also among their recent home results.
AC Milan head into this game off the back of a 2-1 league defeat to Lazio, Their third straight Serie A loss. They have also had some problems on their recent travels, losing five of their last six away matches across all competitions, cranking up the pressure on manager Sergio Conceicao.
Despite their struggles on the road, AC Milan have claimed some solid results away from home in the league, beating Inter Milan 2-1 and claiming a similar victory over fast rising Como. However, one problem that persists for Conceicao’s men is their shaky backline having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three matches, all of which have produced over 2.5 goals.
How the bookies view it: AC Milan favourites
AC Milan has been installed as overwhelming favourites by the bookies with BoyleSports offering odds of 4/6 for an away win. A victory for Lecce is priced at 10/3 while a draw is set at odds 11/4.
Head to head: Dominant Rossoneri
AC Milan have a 15-2 advantage with 12 draws from 29 previous matches against Lecce. The Rossoneri have also won three of the last four meetings and claimed a 3-1 home victory in the reverse fixture back in September.
AC Milan have been dominant in this fixture, unbeaten in the last ten meetings, recording six wins including a 3-0 triumph in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Reliable Reijnders
Tijjani Reijnders is Milan’s top scorer with eight league goals and often pops up at important moments for the Rossoneri. The midfielder could be worth keeping an eye on to get on the score sheet at 3/1 with BoyleSports.
Santiago Pierotti has stepped up lately in the absence of top scorer Nikola Krstovic, scoring Lecce’s last three goals. The forward is expected to be the major attacking threat for the hosts and is priced at 9/2 with BoyleSports to score anytime.
Probable line-ups
Top scorer, Nikola Krstovic is a big doubt for Lecce while Filip Marchwinski remains sidelined. However, Jesper Karlsson and Tete Morente should feature while Pierotti is set to return after recovering from a knock that kept him out against Fiorentina.
For AC Milan, Emerson Royal, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alessandro Florenzi remain sidelined while Strahinja Pavlovic is suspended. Rafael Leao, Tijjani Reijnders and Christian Pulisic are all expected to keep their places in the team.
Lecce: Falcone, Guilbert, Baschirotto, Jean, Gallo, Coulibaly, Pierret, Morente, Karlsson, Pierotti, Rebic
AC Milan: Maignan, Hernandez, Gabbia, Thiaw, Fofana, Musah, Thiaw, Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao, Gimenez
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in AC Milan’s last four matches and BoyleSports is offering odds of 3/4 for a similar outcome. The last three matches for the Rossoneri have produced over 2.5 goals, which is priced at 3/4 with BoyleSports.
AC Milan have won at half-time in the last four meetings against Lecce and a repeat is expected at 13/10.
This Serie A match between Lecce and AC Milan will be played on and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Lecce vs AC Milan prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
