Lecce vs. Cagliari
Fans can look forward to a spicy coaching duel at the Stadio Via del Mare when Fabio Pisacane returns with Cagliari to his former club Lecce, where he once had a difficult relationship with Eusebio Di Francesco. “We talked it out later and cleared everything up,” Pisacane explained ahead of the game, but he warns of the heated atmosphere in Salento. His Sardinians are in 8th place with four points after three matchdays, while Lecce are bottom of the table with just one point. The recent 4-1 defeat to Atalanta has ruthlessly exposed the hosts’ problems. After three consecutive draws, Cagliari won the last direct duel in January by a clear 4-1 margin. Felici, who was not in the squad at the time and recently scored against Parma, could play a key role this time, while Belotti is fighting for a starting spot after his successful substitution.
- Venue: Stadio Ettore Giardiniero – Via del Mare, Lecce
- Date and time: 19.09.2025, 20:45
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 4)
Lecce Form & Record Check
The situation at US Lecce is quite worrying after three matchdays. With only one point from three league games, the Giallorossi find themselves in 20th place in the table, just one point behind Parma. The start under Eusebio Di Francesco has been anything but ideal: a goalless draw at Genoa on the opening day was followed by a 2-0 home defeat to AC Milan. The recent defeat at Atalanta was particularly painful, with Lecce losing 4-1 despite a decent performance. The defense is a cause for concern, having conceded six goals in three league games, while the attack lacks punch, having scored only once. At least N’Dri showed his quality in the away game in Bergamo, scoring a consolation goal after a fine solo effort. To make matters worse, Di Francesco has to do without key players: Marchwinski and Jean are out long-term with cruciate ligament tears, while Pierret is also missing due to muscle problems.
Coach Di Francesco is likely to field his team in the usual 4-3-3 formation. As expected, Falcone will be in goal, while the back four could consist of Kouassi, Kialonda Gaspar, Siebert, and Gallo. The midfield will probably be made up of Coulibaly, Ramadani, and Álex Sala. In attack, I expect Tete Morente, Stulic, and Sottil to form the front three. However, Di Francesco is missing three key players due to injury: Jean, Pierret, and Marchwinski. The absence of Marchwinski, who is not expected to return until September, in particular, noticeably weakens the attack. Players such as Banda, Pierotti, or the young Camarda could provide fresh impetus from the bench. This lineup remains a prediction; the coach will make the final decision shortly before kickoff.
Cagliari Form & Record Check
After three matchdays, Cagliari is in 8th place with four points, which is quite respectable. The Sardinians have had mixed results with one win, two draws, and one defeat. The 2-0 home win against Parma four days ago was an important breakthrough for Fabio Pisacane’s team. Mina gave the Rossoblù the lead in the 33rd minute before Felici sealed the deal after coming on as a substitute. It was a solid performance, even if Pisacane himself admitted that the team had been under emotional pressure beforehand. The early part of the season has shown a particular characteristic: Cagliari regularly concede goals, but only in small doses. In four of their last five games, the defense has conceded at least once, but so far all games have remained under 2.5 goals. Pisacane has set up his team to be tactically flexible and emphasizes that he focuses more on solutions than on rigid formations. Belotti has recommended himself for further appearances after his strong performance against Parma, while Matteo Prati acts as the central playmaker. The loss of Luvumbo until the end of September weakens the offense, and Pavoletti also remains questionable.
Cagliari are likely to line up in a 4-3-2-1 system, according to recent statements by coach Pisacane. The coach confirmed a back four in defense but emphasized his team’s flexibility during the game. As expected, Caprile will be in goal. Zappa, Mina, Luperto, and Obert are likely to form the starting lineup in defense. In midfield, Pisacane could rely on the proven trio of Adopo, Prati, and Folorunsho. The coach particularly highlighted Prati as a “fundamental player” who acts as a playmaker. Up front, Gaetano and Esposito are expected to play behind Belotti, who, according to Pisacane, “played a wonderful game” and could well start. Luvumbo’s absence due to his adductor injury reduces the offensive options, while there is still a slim chance that Pavoletti will be nominated despite his knee problems.
H2H Lecce – Cagliari Head-to-head comparison & statistics
The head-to-head matches between Lecce and Cagliari have been remarkably even. In the last five encounters, each team has won once, while three games ended in a draw. Of particular interest is the series of three consecutive draws between January 2024 and May 2024, which was only ended in January 2025 by Cagliari’s clear 4-1 home win. Prior to that, Lecce had celebrated their last home win against the Sardinians in August 2024 with a narrow 1-0 victory. The first halves of these matches are particularly noteworthy: in all five encounters, the teams remained goalless or scored a maximum of one goal at half-time. The games are traditionally decided after the break, although even then there is usually little spectacle on offer. Four of the last five games ended with less than 2.5 goals, which suggests a cautious approach. Only Cagliari’s recent rout broke this pattern significantly.
The first tip on “Both teams to score: No” reflects the offensive weaknesses that are currently plaguing both clubs. Lecce has failed to score in two of its three league games, while Cagliari is still goalless away from home and, without the injured Luvumbo, is missing an important element in its offense. It is noteworthy that both teams have consistently scored less than 1.5 goals in the first half in their last five games. At odds of 1.70, this tip offers solid value. The home win tip at 2.70 takes advantage of Lecce’s recent home form. Di Francesco’s team won their last two games at the Stadio Via del Mare without conceding and can count on the support of their passionate fans. Cagliari, on the other hand, have conceded goals in four consecutive games and seem much more predictable without Luvumbo. N’Dri’s goal threat could make the difference in a tight game. The draw at 3.00 reflects the balance of power, with Pisacane already warning of the “hot atmosphere” in Lecce and emphasizing that his team must remain compact at key moments.
