Serie A rolls into matchday two as Lecce welcome AC Milan to the Stadio Via del Mare. Both sides failed to start the new campaign with a win, so there will be plenty riding on Friday’s clash.
Having escaped relegation by three points last season, the task for Lecce will be to make a strong start this term in a bid to avoid similar problems. However, they began their campaign with a 0-0 draw at Genoa last weekend, failing to register a single attempt on target.
The good news for Lecce is that they already have a home win under their belt this season, beating Juve Stabia 2-0 in the Coppa Italia. However, their overall home form is unconvincing, with Eusebio Di Francesco’s team winless in six of their last seven Serie A matches at the Stadio Via del Mare, losing five times on this run.
It was not the dream return for Massimiliano Allegri as AC Milan suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Cremonese in their opening Serie A fixture. That result is part of an erratic run that stretches back to preseason, as they are winless in three of their last four matches.
AC Milan did claim a 2-0 home victory over Bari in the Coppa Italia and will be keen to channel that performance in Friday's clash. The Rossoneri also have a solid record on their travels and have won three of their last four Serie A away matches.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Milan
The bookies have installed AC Milan as overwhelming favourites, with a win priced at 4/6 by BoyleSports. Lecce are considered outsiders and are valued at 4/1 for a victory, while a draw is set at odds of 5/2.
Head to head: Milan dominant
AC Milan have a 12-1 advantage with seven draws from 20 previous matches against Lecce. The Rossoneri won the two meetings last season, claiming a 3-0 victory at home before winning 3-2 in the second meeting.
Players to watch: Eyes on Pulisic
Christian Pulisic was on target in the Coppa Italia and has also scored four times in the last three matches against Lecce. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on to score on Friday (Christian Pulisic anytime goalscorer – valued at 15/8 with BoyleSports).
Following Nikola Krstovic’s transfer to Atalanta, Francesco Camarda could be the one to watch for Lecce. The on-loan forward from AC Milan will be keen to get one over on his parent club (Francesco Camarda anytime goalscorer – priced at 15/4).
Probable line-ups:
Lecce could retain a similar line-up to the one that drew at Genoa, with Wladimiro Falcone in between the sticks and Tiago Gabriel and Kialonda Gaspar in defence. Medon Berisha and Lassana Coulibaly should get the nod in midfield, while Morente and Camarda are likely to be joined in attack by Lameck Banda.
For Milan, Mike Maignan is expected to keep his place in goal, with Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic in defence. Pervis Estupinan, Luka Modric and Ruben Loftus-Cheek should also start the game, with Pulisic pairing with Santiago Gimenez in attack.
Lecce: Falcone, Gallo, Gabriel, Gaspar, Veiga, Berisha, Ramadani, Coulibaly, Morente, Camarda, Banda
AC Milan: Maignan, Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Loftus-Cheek, Estupinan, Pulisic, Gimenez
Anything else catch the eye?
The last four matches between Lecce and AC Milan have produced over 2.5 goals – available at EVENS on BoyleSports. Both teams have scored in five of the last eight meetings (BTTS YES – offered at 10/11).
AC Milan have led at the break in four of the last five matches against Lecce (AC Milan halftime win – set at odds of 13/10).
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