Roma vs Lecce

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Following a rare midweek break, AS Roma continues to contend with numerous absences as they head into a busy period, which will climax with the upcoming Derby della Capitale.

Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, recovering from a muscular injury, is nearing a return, but it's more likely that he will make his comeback against Slavia Prague on Thursday, in preparation for the crucial derby clash against Lazio. Meanwhile, midfielder Leandro Paredes will be unavailable due to suspension.

Injuries have also sidelined Leonardo Spinazzola, alongside long-term absentees Marash Kumbulla and Tammy Abraham. Additionally, Chris Smalling has been experiencing setbacks in his recovery process.

On a positive note for Roma and manager Jose Mourinho, Paulo Dybala, who has an impressive goal-scoring record against Lecce, is expected to be fit to partner with Romelu Lukaku in the forward line. Renato Sanches is also set to make his return after a six-week absence.

Lecce, on the other hand, will once again be without Kastriot Dermaku. However, their manager, Roberto D'Aversa, can still field his strongest lineup on Sunday, given the changes he made during the midweek.

Forwards Roberto Piccoli and Gabriel Strefezza made a strong impact when Lecce fought back from a two-goal deficit against Parma, although they later missed their chance to advance in the cup competition. Both players will be hoping for a place in the starting eleven for the league match.

Should he be selected, Piccoli is likely to replace Nikola Krstovic in the center of the attacking trio. Krstovic, who initially had an impressive start with three goals in his first three Serie A appearances, has struggled recently, scoring only one goal in his last six matches.

Both Romelu Lukaku and Jose Mourinho left their previous clubs without winning any trophies, and AS Roma found themselves with a disappointing total of 14 points, which is the lowest they've had after 10 Serie A matches in over a decade.

Lukaku's goals had previously helped Roma climb the standings during a five-game winning streak across all competitions. This streak even included a 2-0 victory over Europa League opponents Slavia Prague, whom Mourinho's team is set to face again next week.

Despite their strong start in Group G of the Europa League, reaching last year's final, they still have a significant gap to close in Serie A.

Roma has managed to secure maximum points in their last three league matches at home, keeping clean sheets in each game. This should boost their confidence as they return to Stadio Olimpico this weekend.

In the history of their encounters, Roma has won 23 out of 34 Serie A matches against Lecce and boasts an impressive 82% win rate against Lecce in Rome, with just one loss.

Roma, currently positioned in mid-table, are looking to rejuvenate their Serie A campaign this Sunday as they welcome Lecce to Stadio Olimpico. Last week, Roma faced a setback with a defeat against Inter Milan, leaving them just one point ahead of Lecce, who have been struggling with poor form.

In their recent encounter at San Siro, Roma suffered a defeat at the hands of Inter Milan for the fifth time in six top-flight meetings. Marcus Thuram's 81st-minute goal proved to be the decisive blow, leading to Roma's fourth league loss of the season.

In contrast to the performance of Sunday's hosts, Lecce had a strong start to the 2023-24 season, resembling a locomotive in their early matches. However, their promising form has waned as the summer warmth has given way to a chilly autumn at the Salento club.

Initially, Lecce remained undefeated in their first five Serie A matches. Nevertheless, in their most recent five games, they suffered three losses and managed to secure draws in the other two.

Roberto D'Aversa began his tenure at Via del Mare on a positive note, but the situation changed after two consecutive losses at home, with the latter defeat coming against his former team, Parma, in the Coppa Italia. This has raised concerns.

Before their exit from the cup, where they were defeated 4-2 by Serie B leaders, they also faced a loss to Torino in the league, placing them in the lower half of the league standings.

With matches against Roma and Milan on the horizon, the challenges do not ease up for D'Aversa. However, Lecce has shown resilience on the road, having drawn in three out of their four away matches this season. As they head to the capital, they believe they can, at the very least, secure a draw.