Serie A: US Lecce vs. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Udinese-Calcio-c40789 – Preview
US Lecce in the relegation zone
Lecce were the winners of the Serie B last season, winning promotion to the top tier of Italian football. Lecce took the 2nd division title with 75 points, just a solitary point ahead of Cesena.
The Salentini made a shaky start to the 2010/11 season as the newly promoted team failed to perform up to the expectations. Their disappointing form has led them down to the relegation zone. Lecce occupy a lowly 18th spot in the Serie A table, just a single point behind Cesena. The Salentians has been inconsistent on both home and away venues, losing out valuable points to even the easiest of opponents.
The Giallorossi have won 5 of their 15 home games, losing 6 and drawing 4 games. Of their last five home games, the wolves have won just a solitary game, losing thrice while the remaining encounter failed to produce a winner.
Lecce play hosts to Udinese Calcio in the upcoming Serie A game this Sunday. The Zebrette are the most in-form team in the peninsula at the moment. Needless to say, even a draw would require herculean efforts from the home side.
Udinese Calcio hunt a Champions League spot
Udinese had a poor run in the Serie A during the 2009/10 season, finishing a lowly 15th in the Calcio charts. The team only survived relegation because of the Capocannoniere winning performances of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antonio-Di-Natale-c6306, the skipper.
The 2010/11 season started on a similar note. The Zebrette lost 4 of the opening five fixtures. Since then, however, the Bianconeri have played like men possessed. Francesco Guidolin’s men have taken Serie A by storm, raking in win after win in breathtaking fashion. As things stand, Udinese are currently 4th in the league with 56 points, 3 points behind SSC http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003. The White-Blacks are optimistic of finding a Champions League spot for the next season.
The Zebrette have been good performers on both home and away venues. Guidolin and his men have remained unbeaten throughout the second half of the season. They come into this game with 5 victories in their last 5 away encounters, making them firm favourites for the three points.
Team News
US Lecce
The home team would enter the field without the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrea-Bertolacci-c5670, Javier Chevanton and David Di Michele are likely to return to the squad.
The striker David Di Michele has scored 5 league goals for the outfit and will be the key player for the hosts.
Udinese Calcio
Udinese will go to Stadio Via del Mare without Dusan Basta and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giampiero-Pinzi-c14804 will be out due to suspension while Gabriele Angella is doubtful to be available to the Bianconeri.
The devastating duo of Antonio Di Natale (25 goals, 7 assists) and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexis-Sánchez-c4979 (12 goals, 5 assists) are odds-on favourites to take the game to the home side. They will play a major role on their side’s victory chances.
Prediction
The match will be an easy catch for Udinese as they have been in a good consistent form. The Zebrette will emerge victorious from the clash and the final score will read 3-0 in the visitor’s favour.
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