Serie A | Gameweek 26

Feb 21, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stadio Comunale Via del Mare

Lecce vs Udinese

Match preview

After coming closest to scoring when Thorir Helgason's early free-kick struck the top of the crossbar, Lecce had to settle for a 0-0 draw at rock-bottom Monza last weekend.

The Salento outfit may have been hoping for a win given the circumstances, but they moved five points clear of 18th-placed Parma and further improved their survival chances.

Lecce are now tied with Juventus for the most number of goalless draws this season (four), following another stalemate at home to Bologna in the first game of February.

Since Marco Giampaolo replaced Luca Gotti, the Giallorossi have certainly become harder to break down, and two successive clean sheets have extended their unbeaten run to three.

However, Lecce's last two league victories have come away from home - 3-1 wins over Empoli and Parma - and they have not tasted success at Via del Mare since December, when they beat Serie B outfit Monza.

While their hosts still face the spectre of relegation, Udinese are on course to secure mid-table safety this season - a sweet relief after last year's close call with the drop.

The Friulians secured their place in the top half of the table last week with a victory over struggling Empoli, having previously held Serie A leaders Napoli to a 1-1 draw.

Midfielder Jurgen Ekkelenkamp took his tally to three goals in two games, while captain Florian Thauvin also got on the scoresheet as Udinese found the back of the net three times for the second consecutive game.

Sitting in 10th place in the Serie A standings, Kosta Runjaic's side are realistically too far off the pace to make a late push for Europe, but the German coach has already accomplished his task of reviving an underperforming side.

The Bianconeri will be looking for a repeat of the reverse fixture against Lecce in October, when Jordan Zemura scored the only goal in Udine, and the last time they travelled to the Via del Mare, top scorer Lorenzo Lucca netted in a 2-0 win.

Recent Performance

Lecce Serie A form:WLLWDD

Udinese Serie A form:DLLWDW

Team News

Lecce continue to be fortunate on the injury front, with only long-term absentees Filip Marchwinski and Joan Gonzalez definitively ruled out of Friday's clash.

Nicola Sansone should now be available and Medon Berisha has recovered from illness, giving Marco Giampaolo plenty of options to choose from.

Nikola Krstovic, who has seven league goals to his name this season, will lead the home side's attack, with Santiago Pierotti and Tete Morente usually providing support.

Meanwhile, Udinese's top scorer Lorenzo Lucca needs just one more goal to reach double figures for the first time in a single Serie A campaign.

Florian Thauvin, who has just ended a goal drought dating back to December, will usually link up with the towering frontman, while Alexis Sanchez is ready to make an impact from the bench.

Once again, the Friulians will be without Isaak Toure and Maduka Okoye through injury, but Keinan Davis should return in time for the long trip south.

Possible starting lineup

Lecce possible starting lineup:

Falcone; Guilbert, Baschirotto, Jean, Gallo; Pierret, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Helgason, Morente; Krstovic

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Sava; Kristensen, Bijol, Solet, Kamara; Atta, Lovric, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp; Thauvin, Lucca