Lecce and Spezia battle for survival in Serie A
Lecce and Spezia will face off in a crucial Serie A match on Sunday as they both fight to avoid relegation. With just three games left to play, Lecce holds a slim advantage over their Ligurian visitors, who would leapfrog the 16th-placed Salentini with a win. Lecce came close to toppling Lazio last weekend, but a late goal denied them the win. Nonetheless, a creditable 2-2 draw with the Champions League-chasers leaves Marco Baroni’s men two points clear of the Serie A drop zone and with their destiny still in their own hands.
Spezia’s hopes of Serie A salvation revived
Spezia, on the other hand, have also slid closer to the relegation zone of late, but a remarkable turn of fortunes last week certainly revived their hopes of Serie A salvation. After holding Champions League semi-finalists Milan goalless heading into the final 20 minutes at Stadio Picco, the Aquilotti then soared to a precious 2-0 success via goals from Przemyslaw Wisniewski and Salvatore Esposito. Curiously, amid an otherwise barren run, Spezia’s last two wins have now come against Milan and Inter, while their last seven league goals have been scored by seven different players.
Predicted lineups and outcome
In the absence of captain Morten Hjulmand, who sustained a thigh injury last week, Lecce are likely to ask Joan Gonzalez to plug the gap in midfield, while Federico Di Francesco is poised to replace the suspended Lameck Banda on the left of a front three. Spezia, meanwhile, will be without French full-back Kelvin Amian due to a one-match ban for accumulated bookings. Lecce can celebrate their 600th Serie A fixture by securing a crucial win that could effectively keep them in the top flight. Spezia do not travel well and they could be left hoping Verona do not capitalise on another slip-up at Via del Mare.
Keywords: Lecce, Spezia, Serie A, relegation, survival, Champions League, Milan, top-flight, lineup, injury, suspension, crucial win.