Lecce vs Cagliari Prediction & Betting Tips (31 August)

Present in the elite since 2022, Lecce worked to maintain its position during the two previous years. Last year, the Puglia-based team finished 14th in Serie A, just 3 points ahead of the first relegated team. Luca Gotti's men are still expected to be in the fight not to go down this season. The first two days logically worry all fans despite the quality of the opponents. Lecce was soundly beaten at home by Atalanta 0-4 before losing at Inter last weekend 2-0. A week before the start of the championship, Lecce had to wait until the last minutes to overcome Mantova Serie B in the Italian Cup 2-1.

Promoted to Serie A last year, Cagliari had all the difficulties of the world to save his head. The Sardinians took 16th place in the ranking with 2 points behind their opponent of the day and had to wait until the last day to definitively ensure their maintenance. Coach Claudio Ranieri bowed out of this achievement and was replaced on the bench by Davide Nicola. This season, Cagliari showed good performances during the first two days with draws obtained, at home each time, against Roma 0-0 and Como last Monday 1-1. These results follow a convincing qualification won against Carrarese Serie B in the Italian Cup 3-1. 

For this meeting, the Lecce coach must still do without the interesting midfielders Kaba and Gonzalez and the experienced striker Sansone, who have not sufficiently recovered from their physical problems. The team did not score during the first two days but we should still find the Montenegrin Krstovic (7 goals in SA last year) up front. During the off-season, Lecce was forced to let go of important defenders Pongracic (Fiorentina) and Gendrey (Hoffenheim) as well as French midfielder Blin (Palermo) and striker Strefezza (Como). In the opposite direction, several elements have come to strengthen the workforce. This is the case of goalkeeper Früchtl (Austria Vienne), defenders Gaspar (Estrella), Guilbert (Strasbourg), Jean (Annecy) and Pelmard (Clermont), midfielders Marchwinski (Lech Poznan), Coulibaly (Salernitana) and Pierret ( Quevilly-Rouen) and attackers Rebic (Besiktas) and Tete Morente (Elche). As for Cagliari, winger Zortea, who arrived at the club during the off-season, is still missing, injured.

However, no other absences are to be deplored. Starting the first two days, striker Piccoli scored against Como. Behind, takes place the Colombian international Yerry Mina. This summer, the senior defender Dossena (Como), the starting midfielders Sulemana (Atalanta) and Nandez (Al-Qadsiah) and the less important Altare (Venice) left. On the other hand, goalkeeper Sherri (Egnatia), defenders Luperto (Empoli) and Palomino (Atalanta), midfielder Adopo (Atalanta) and attackers Zortea (Atalanta), Felici (Feralpisalo) and Piccoli (Atalanta).