Lecce vs Udinese

Lecce and Udinese are both enjoying a three-game unbeaten run as they prepare to face off at Stadio Via del Mare on Friday evening. With momentum on their side, each team will be eager to extend their positive streak, but for different reasons. While Lecce’s recent resurgence has provided them with some breathing room in their fight to avoid relegation, Udinese are setting their sights on securing a top-10 finish in Serie A.

Lecce’s latest encounter saw them play out a goalless draw against Monza, a result that, while far from ideal, helped them extend their lead over the relegation zone to five points. The Salentini might have hoped for more from the match, particularly given Monza’s position at the bottom of the table, but a share of the spoils still marked another step toward survival. Throughout the game, they had opportunities to break the deadlock, most notably when Thorir Helgason’s early free kick rattled the crossbar. However, their failure to convert their chances meant that they had to settle for a point.

This latest stalemate added to their growing collection of goalless draws this season, making it four in total—tied with Juventus for the most in the league. Their first match in February also ended in a scoreless draw, this time against Bologna at home. The common thread in these results has been Lecce’s defensive resilience under Marco Giampaolo, who has instilled a newfound discipline in the side since taking over from Luca Gotti. His impact is particularly evident in their recent defensive displays, as they have now recorded consecutive clean sheets.

While the defensive solidity has been commendable, Lecce’s lack of firepower on home turf remains a concern. Their last two Serie A victories both came on the road, with back-to-back 3-1 triumphs over Empoli and Parma. However, at Via del Mare, they have not managed to claim three points since December, when they overcame Monza, a side that now seems destined for relegation. The inability to secure home victories has left them in a precarious position, and they will be eager to rectify that against Udinese.

On the other side of the pitch, Udinese are in a much more comfortable situation. Having endured a difficult campaign last season in which they flirted with relegation, they have now established themselves firmly in mid-table. Their most recent victory, a convincing win against struggling Empoli, reinforced their status as a team on the rise. Prior to that, they had held league leaders Napoli to a 1-1 draw, a testament to their growing confidence and resilience.

A key figure in Udinese’s recent success has been Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, who has now scored three goals in his last two appearances. The Dutch midfielder’s contributions have provided a significant boost, adding another dimension to Udinese’s attacking play. Meanwhile, club captain Florian Thauvin has also played a crucial role, getting on the scoresheet in their last outing as they notched three goals in consecutive home games.

Udinese currently occupy 10th place in the Serie A standings, a position that reflects their steady improvement under Kosta Runjaic. While they are unlikely to mount a serious challenge for European qualification, their transformation from a relegation-threatened side to a stable mid-table outfit is a major accomplishment. Runjaic has managed to extract the best from his squad, restoring confidence and ensuring they remain competitive against top opposition.

As Udinese prepare to visit Lecce, they will be looking to replicate their success from the reverse fixture earlier this season. In that encounter, Jordan Zemura scored the decisive goal, handing Udinese a 1-0 victory at home. Additionally, their last trip to Stadio Via del Mare ended in a 2-0 triumph, with Lorenzo Lucca finding the back of the net. These past results will undoubtedly give Udinese confidence heading into the clash, as they aim to extend their unbeaten run and further cement their place in the top half of the table.

While Lecce will take encouragement from their recent defensive stability, they will need to find a way to be more clinical in front of goal. The inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities has cost them valuable points, and against a well-drilled Udinese side, they cannot afford to be wasteful. The visitors, on the other hand, will look to continue their strong form, building on their recent attacking success. With both teams eager to extend their respective streaks, Friday’s encounter promises to be a closely contested battle.