Serie A | Gameweek 37

May 18, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stadio Comunale Via del Mare

Lecce vs Torino

Match preview

Lecce's 13-game unbeaten run — the longest in Serie A — continued last week, but they could only manage a 1-1 draw away to Hellas Verona.

However, Venezia's resounding victory over Fiorentina on Monday means that Lecce have now paid the price for their poor run of form. They will start matchday 37 in the relegation zone, level on points with Empoli and just one point from safety.

Their destiny may be out of their hands, but Lecce are still in a position to survive, especially with an favourable fixture up next against an opposition with nothing left to play for.

Defeat could see Lecce relegated if Venezia win away to Cagliari, though, and this will be at the forefront of many minds at the Via del Mare this weekend, given that Lecce have taken just three points from a possible 30 in their last 10 home matches.

Giampaolo's team have a superior head-to-head record against both Venezia and Empoli, so they must use this to their advantage, despite having a very challenging match against Lazio at the end of the season.

Venezia face Juventus on the final day and may struggle, but Empoli have Monza and Cagliari to play and could be favourites to avoid relegation, despite currently being 19th.

Lecce must end their current winless run if they want to ensure survival, but it would not be surprising if they were to be relegated, as they have only had a longer streak without a victory in the top flight once — 16 games in 1997–98.

Torino have nothing left to play for, sitting in mid-table, but they have proven to be difficult opponents for Lecce recently. A 0–0 draw in the reverse fixture means the Salentini have failed to score in any of the last five meetings, and they have never gone six games without scoring against a single opponent.

Last weekend's 2-0 home defeat to Inter Milan has all but confirmed that Torino's season will end with a finish in the bottom half of the table, as Como now sit four points ahead in 10th place.

This was Torino's first home defeat in 10 games, but it means they have now won just one of their last seven matches.

However, Torino have not lost consecutive league games since early November, and their form against lower-ranked clubs has been exceptional this season — losing just once in 17 games and keeping nine clean sheets.

Recent Performance

Lecce Serie A form:DLLDLD

Torino Serie A form:DLWLDL

Team News

Kialonda Gaspar is doubtful for Lecce ahead of this fixture, as the Angolan is currently struggling with a hamstring injury. He could be joined on the sidelines by Filip Marchwinski and Gaby Jean, who are both recovering from long-term knee injuries.

Last weekend, Nikola Krstovic ended his seven-game goal drought at the perfect time, taking his tally to 12 this season. The Montenegrin striker will be relied on again here for inspiration.

Many of Torino's first-team players are currently dealing with injuries, and manager Paolo Vanoli may give them the rest of the season off to recover in time for pre-season training.

Yann Karamoh and Borna Sosa are the closest to returning, while Perr Schuurs, Duvan Zapata and Emirhan Ilkhan will not play again this season.

Marcus Pedersen is doubtful after sustaining a head injury, and Amine Salama, who joined the club on loan from Reims in January, has yet to make an appearance for the club due to a muscle problem.

Possible starting lineup

Lecce possible starting lineup:

Falcone; Guilbert, Tiago Gabriel, Baschirotto, Gallo; Coulibaly, Pierret, Helgason; Pierotti, Krstovic, Tete Morente

Torino possible starting lineup:

Milinkovic-Savic; Dembele, Maripan, Masina, Biraghi; Ricci, Gineitis; Lazaro, Vlasic, Elmas; Adams