Empoli Vs Lecce

Empoli will be hoping to break their recent winless streak when they face Lecce at Stadio Carlo Castellani for Serie A’s round 20. The Azzurri, who have not tasted victory in their last four matches, currently sit in 12th place in the league standings with 20 points from 19 games. This leaves them just three points ahead of Lecce, who are struggling at the bottom of the table and remain mired in the relegation zone. Lecce is currently placed in 18th, with only Venezia and Monza below them, sitting in 19th and 20th, respectively.

Empoli head into this fixture after drawing 1-1 with Venezia in their previous outing. The match saw Sebastiano Esposito score an important equalizer in the 32nd minute, which secured a vital point for Roberto D'Aversa’s team. This result halted their losing streak, which had seemed to be leading them into a fourth consecutive defeat, following an early goal from Venezia’s Joel Pohjanpalo. The draw, however, was enough to keep them in 12th place, and now Empoli will be eager to build on this result to end their four-match winless run.

The upcoming match against Lecce offers a potentially favorable opportunity for Empoli, given the visitors' struggles this season. Lecce have been one of the weakest teams in Serie A, particularly away from home. In their nine away games, Lecce have managed to avoid defeat in only two of those matches. Their form on the road has been their Achilles' heel, leaving them unable to consistently compete with higher-ranked teams. Additionally, Empoli’s historical record against Lecce on their home turf provides further optimism for the hosts. Empoli have won three of the last five Serie A meetings between the two teams at the Castellani and are yet to lose a top-flight encounter against Lecce at home.

Despite this, Empoli’s form at home has been far from stellar, and their struggles on their own ground could complicate matters. They have managed just one win from nine Serie A matches at the Castellani, securing only seven points out of a possible 27. This represents the third-worst home record in the league, which raises questions about their ability to consistently perform in front of their own supporters. With Lecce's struggles away from home, Empoli will need to overcome their own issues at the Castellani if they are to secure all three points in this fixture.

On the other hand, Lecce’s recent form under manager Marco Giampaolo has shown signs of regression. Giampaolo was appointed as Lecce’s head coach on November 11, after the dismissal of Luca Gotti, and he initially made a positive impact. In his first four games in charge, Giampaolo collected seven points from a possible 12, offering hope for a potential resurgence. However, Lecce has since failed to win in their last three matches, with the most recent being a goalless draw against Genoa. This dip in form has started to raise concerns about whether Giampaolo’s early success was just a brief spark or if Lecce can sustain improvement under his guidance.

Even though Lecce's performance has been better under Giampaolo compared to Gotti’s tenure, the Salentians remain heavily involved in the relegation battle. They have averaged 1.14 points per game under Giampaolo, a notable improvement from the 0.75 points per game they averaged during the first 12 matches under Gotti. However, this improvement has not been enough to move them clear of the relegation zone, and their position remains precarious. The key issue for Lecce this season has been their abysmal away form. They have only managed to pick up four points from a possible 27 on the road, which is the second-worst away record in the league. Moreover, their attacking struggles are evident, as they have scored just two goals away from home, the lowest total in Serie A.

The situation at Lecce reflects broader issues within the team. Their inability to perform on the road has been a major factor in their struggle to stay out of the relegation zone. Lecce’s away form has been dismal in nearly every aspect, from defensive frailty to offensive impotence. Their two goals scored away from home are symptomatic of a team that has not been able to break down opposition defenses and pose a significant threat going forward. The lack of attacking potency away from home has made it difficult for Lecce to gain points on the road, which has ultimately left them vulnerable to relegation.

In contrast, Empoli will be aiming to capitalize on Lecce’s road woes while addressing their own shortcomings. The Azzurri’s recent improvement, demonstrated by their draw against Venezia, has given them a boost in confidence. They will look to build on that momentum against a Lecce side that is struggling to find its footing, especially away from home. Empoli’s performance at the Castellani has not been ideal, but they have been more consistent at home than Lecce has been on the road. The pressure will be on Roberto D'Aversa’s side to find their rhythm and break their winless streak, especially with the opportunity presented by Lecce’s lackluster away form.

For Lecce, their task will be to improve their away record and put together a more resilient and cohesive performance on the road. Giampaolo will need to instill more confidence in his players and find a way to unlock their attacking potential when they travel. Despite their struggles, Lecce’s recent defensive improvement under Giampaolo gives them a fighting chance in matches like this, where they will need to be compact defensively and look for opportunities on the counterattack. If they can tighten up at the back and find a way to score on the road, they could secure a crucial point or even a victory against Empoli.

Both teams have their work cut out for them, but this match presents an opportunity for Empoli to build some momentum and push away from the relegation zone. For Lecce, it is a crucial test of their survival hopes, as another defeat would deepen their struggles and increase the pressure on Giampaolo’s tenure. The stakes are high for both sides, with the outcome potentially having significant implications for the rest of the season. As Serie A enters its second half, matches like these will be pivotal in shaping the fate of teams at both ends of the table.