Serie A – Lecce at home to Atalanta
Wednesday at Via Del Mare, as Lecce host Atalanta in the Serie A.
Atalanta go to Via Del Mare with Champion’s League dreams for next season very much alive. They currently sit in fourth as they take on sixteenth placed Lecce.
Lecce’s campaign so far has seen them accrue nine points this season
Lecce drew 1-1 when they visited Udinese, their disappointment was further deepened, having previously drawn against Juventus, they must now try and get a positive result from this fixture.
Also, Lecce seem unable to get over the line on a consistent basis, with six draws in 11 fixtures. With a sixteenth position in the league and 1 wins, 6 losses and 6 draws, they currently have nine points in the League having won one game, drawn six games, and lost six matches.
When Lecce host Atalanta, they will do so on the back of four darts and two losses on their own ground.
A win in this fixture would take Lecce’s points to 12 in the League.
Lecce’s squad will likely be depleted of one of their key players when they start on Wednesday, due to injury or illness.
Atalanta arrive at this meeting, having secured 27 points so far this season
Whilst Atalanta need a positive result from this fixture, they cannot afford to throw caution to the wind. Another successive defeat for The Goddess after losing against Napoli and Empoli would represent a worrying sign of where they are just now.
Also, Atalanta keep finding ways to win, having secured eight victories in their last 13 matches is astonishing this season, a form has placed them in clear contention for Champion’s League qualification. With 27 points (8W, 2L and 3D), they are established in fourth position in the League having won eight fixtures, drawn three meetings, and lost two games.
Atalanta have won five fixtures and drawn one game of their six League matches on the road this season.
Victory for Atalanta would take their points tally to 30 so far this season.
A solid defensive team
Atalanta have a solid defence, with only 10 goals conceded in their previous fixtures. The number of goals that a team scores can sometimes give a misleading impression of performance. Atalanta have found the net 19 times (15 from open play and four penalties), but their performance at times this season has been average. This has been largely down to the key attacking players: Ademola Lookman (6), Teun Koopmeiners (4), and Rafael Toloi (1).
Atalanta may have to resort to second choice players, given the number of first choice players that are now unavailable through injury, illness or suspension.
Lecce v Atalanta – Head-to-Head.
Regarding their historical duels these two teams have met on 18 occasions, in which Atalanta have enjoyed eight wins and seven draws. Additionally, Atalanta have not been able to over-turn Lecce on the last two games. In their most recent meeting of this fixture Atalanta secured a 2-7 away win.
Other players of note for Lecce are Gabriel Strefezza and Assan Ceesay with four goals both and for Atalanta are Ademola Lookman and Teun Koopmeiners with six goals each.
