Lecce welcomes bottom-of-the-table Verona to Via del Mare on Saturday afternoon, with both teams deep in the relegation battle. The hosts are in 15th place with nine points, while Verona are bottom of the table with just five points and are the only team still waiting for their first win of the season. Interestingly, despite the clear table constellation, the betting markets rate this match as evenly balanced, as shown by the odds of around 2.5 for a home win. Lecce comes into the game with renewed confidence after a surprise 1-0 away win in Florence, where Berisha scored the decisive goal in the 23rd minute, but has only won two of nine games overall. History suggests exciting encounters: the last meeting in May ended 1-1 in Verona, while the last five home games in Lecce have always seen a clear winner, most recently with a 1-0 win for the hosts in October 2024. Verona is in a deep crisis with eleven competitive games without a win, only six goals scored in the entire season, and a meager two goals in five away games. To make matters worse, coach Paolo Zanetti is out with the flu and his assistant Bertolini had to take over the press conference, while key players such as Serdar, Suslov, Santiago, and Núñez are out with injuries.
- Venue: Stadio Via del Mare, Lecce
- Date and time: November 8, 2025, 3:00 p.m.
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 11)
The difference in form between the two teams is clear: Lecce comes into the game with renewed confidence after a surprise 1-0 win in Florence, while Verona is still without a win this season and has scored only two goals in five away games. Verona’s problems are exacerbated by personnel issues, as five players, including central midfielder Serdar, are unavailable. In terms of goal prediction, the odds for under 2.5 goals are understandable, as Verona has scored only six goals in ten games and four of Lecce’s last five games have been low-scoring. The primary betting recommendation is a Lecce win, although the higher return comes with a certain amount of risk.
Lecce Form & Record Check
Lecce is currently presenting a mixed picture with two wins from five league games, characterized by low goal scoring and defensive vulnerability with thin personnel in midfield. In four of their last five games, they have scored a maximum of two goals, which underlines their lack of offensive threat. The 1-0 win in Florence was exemplary: scoring early and then managing the game with structure, similar to the goalless draw against Sassuolo. The defeats against Napoli (0-1) and especially at Udinese (2-3) revealed their weaknesses more clearly. Lecce led twice against Udinese but squandered both leads and conceded three goals, highlighting a lack of defensive stability and concentration problems in crucial moments. The absences of Pierret and Marchwinski in midfield exacerbate the lack of relief for the defense. On a positive note, Lecce can hold its own against direct rivals, as the victories in Florence and Parma prove, with the team showing physical commitment and tactical discipline. With nine points and a goal difference of minus six in 15th place, the situation is tight but not hopeless, as they are only two points behind Parma.
Coach Eusebio Di Francesco is likely to stick with his tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation for the home game against Verona. Falcone will continue to start in goal after putting in a strong performance in the 1-0 win in Florence. The established defensive line consists of Veiga, Gaspar, Gabriel, and Gallo. Ramadani and Coulibaly are expected to start in central midfield, as Filip Marchwinski is out with fitness issues and Balthazar Pierret continues to be sidelined with back problems. Morente, Berisha, and Banda could start in the attacking trio behind striker Stulic, with Berisha likely to be a starter after his winning goal in Florence.
Verona Form & Record Check
Verona is in the midst of a sporting crisis: with only five points after ten matchdays, the team is in 19th place, without a league win, with only six goals scored and a goal difference of minus ten. The last five games show a worrying pattern with a 1-2 defeat to Inter due to an own goal in the 93rd minute, a 1-3 defeat in Como, a 2-2 draw against Cagliari, and goalless draws against Pisa and Sassuolo. What is striking is that four of these five games were tied at halftime, but in 80 percent of them, Verona conceded the decisive goals after the break, suggesting a fitness problem or mental weakness in the second half. The away record is disastrous, with only two goals and two points from five games. One small ray of hope is Giovane, who scored against Inter and has even attracted interest from top clubs with three assists this season. The personnel situation remains tense: in addition to key midfielder Serdar, Suslov, Santiago, and Oyegoke are also missing, and Núñez is doubtful. The return of Al-Musrati gives cause for hope, while Zanetti will probably rely on Akpa Akpro and Gagliardini in midfield again.
Coach Paolo Zanetti will probably return to his preferred 3-5-2 formation, although the personnel situation remains tense. Serdar is still out with knee problems, and Suslov, Santiago, Oyegoke, and Nunez are also injured, with Serdar’s absence in central midfield particularly limiting creativity. Bella-Kotchap, Nelsson, and Frese are expected to form the back three, and although Nunez is reportedly fit again according to Bertolini, his place in the starting lineup remains questionable after his shoulder injury. In midfield, Akpa Akpro and Gagliardini are likely to form the center, flanked by Belghali and Bradarić on the wings, with the responsibility for creative impulses lying with the attacking players in the absence of Serdar. Up front, Giovane is set to start after his goal against Inter and is expected to form the strike partnership with Orban, with Giovane already bearing significant offensive responsibility with three assists and one goal.
Lecce – Verona Head-to-head comparison & statistics
The record of the last five encounters shows a balanced picture with two wins for Verona, one for Lecce and two draws. In four of the five games, there were no more than two goals scored, with only the 2-2 draw in November 2023 being the exception. It is noteworthy that in 80 percent of the games, the winner was not decided at halftime, with most games being decided in the second half. Verona has recently shown consistency in direct duels, scoring in the last three consecutive encounters and not conceding a goal in each of them. Lecce, on the other hand, has been waiting for a goal against Verona for three head-to-head matches and has conceded at least one goal in each of those games, which poses a particular challenge for the offense.
