Lecce Set To Host Roma In Key Serie A Showdown At Stadio Via del Mare
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In a high-stakes midseason clash, Lecce welcomes Roma to Stadio Via del Mare for a Tuesday night fixture that could reshape the bottom-half battle and influence the race for Europe. The game kicks off at 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, with live coverage on True Premier Football 3 (Channel 603).
Why this match matters
Lecce enter the match hoping to ease their relegation concerns as they sit 16th in the table with 17 points from 17 games. A win woudl light a much-needed spark for a squad that has shown inconsistency in recent weeks, including a 1-1 draw with Juventus last weekend.
Roma arrive looking to tighten a grip on a Champions league push, currently sitting fifth with 33 points from 18 games. Their form has been uneven,with four losses in their last seven fixtures across all competitions and a recent 1-0 defeat to Atalanta,underscoring their need to convert chances against a Lecce side eager to press at home.
Team news and tactical outlook
Lecce, coached by eusebio Di Francesco, are managing a handful of injury concerns. Out are Medon Berisha, Matias Perez, Balthazar Pieret and Tete Morente. Riccardo Sottil’s fitness remains in question, while Lassana Koulibaly is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty. The hosts are expected to line up in a 4-3-3, aiming to feed the frontline trio of Thorir Johann Helgason, Lamek Banda and Nikola Stulic, with Mohamed Kaba anchoring the midfield alongside yalber ramadani and Santiago Pierrotti.
Roma,under gian Piero Gasperini,face similar tempo-dictated hurdles. Key defensive absences include Mario Hermoso and Gianluca Mancini due to suspensions. Additionally, Neil El Annaoui and Ivan Ndicka are with AFCON duties, while Leon Bailey and Lorenzo Pellegrini carry injury concerns. The visitors are expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 system, with Mile Svilar in goal and a backline of Zeki celik, Jan Ziolkowski and Daniele Gilardi.Matias Sule and Paulo Dybala support in behind Evan Ferguson, with Devine Rensch, Brian Cristante, Manu Kone and Wesley patrolling the midfield.
Players to watch on Saturday night
Lecce’s likely starters feature a front line built around Helgason, Banda and Stulic, with Falcone in goal and a defensive quartet of Weika, Gaspar, thiago Gabriel and Antonino Gallo. roma’s lineup leans on the creativity of Dybala and the poise of Ferguson, supported by Sule and an energetic midfield quartet anchored by Cristante and Kone.
At-a-glance: fast facts
| Aspect | Lecce | Roma |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | 4-3-3 | 3-4-2-1 |
| Recent form (last 8) | 3 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses | 3 wins, 0 draws, 4 losses (overall 7 matches referenced) |
| Current league position | 16th, 17 points from 17 games | 5th, 33 points from 18 games |
| key absences | Berisha, Perez, Pieret, Morente out; Sottil fitness; Koulibaly AFCON | Hermoso, Mancini suspended; Ndicka, El Annaoui AFCON; Bailey, Pellegrini injuries |
| Home/Away context | At home, aiming to leverage familiar surroundings | Away pressure on Lecce’s turf, seeking to convert chances |
| Notable players in focus |
Evergreen insights for fans
January fixtures always test squad depth, with Africa Cup of Nations duties often reshaping lineups mid-season. For Lecce,injuries and fitness questions threaten consistency,while Roma’s absences in defense and midfield could heighten the importance of the attackers’ chemistry. Formation choices will likely dictate how the game unfolds: a stable 4-3-3 for Lecce may seek width and pace, whereas Roma’s 3-4-2-1 could emphasize control in the middle of the park and rapid transitions through Dybala and Ferguson.Tactical adjustments in midfield pressing and defensive shape could be the difference in a game that promises open football and multiple goal chances.
Two questions to ponder
- Will Lecce’s home conditions help them upset a Roma side chasing momentum,or will Roma’s quality in attack tilt the balance?
- how will AFCON and injury concerns influence starting lineups and tempo in this edition of the clash?
Share your thoughts below and tell us which moment could decide the result. Will this match live up to its expectations and deliver a high-stakes spectacle?
For ongoing coverage, follow updates from major football outlets and check the live broadcast details as the kickoff approaches.
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Match Details & Stakes
- Date & Kick‑off: 6 January 2026 – 02:44 CET (local time)
- Venue: Stadio Via del Mare, Lecce
- Competition: Serie A – Round 15
- What’s on the line:
1. Lecce fight to climb out of the relegation zone (currently 18th, 12 pts).
2. Roma, sitting 4th wiht 28 pts, target a top‑four finish and a Champions League berth.
recent Form & Head‑to‑Head
| team | Last 5 Serie A Results | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecce | L 1‑2 (v Juventus), D 0‑0 (v Bologna), W 2‑1 (v Frosinone), L 0‑3 (v Inter), D 1‑1 (v Sassuolo) | 4 | 7 |
| Roma | W 3‑0 (v Udinese), W 2‑1 (v Cagliari), D 1‑1 (v Sampdoria), W 4‑2 (v Verona), L 0‑2 (v Atalanta) | 10 | 4 |
– Head‑to‑Head (last 5 meetings): Roma 3 wins, Lecce 1 win, 1 draw. Roma have scored 11 goals against Lecce, while Lecce have managed just 4.
Expected Starting XI – Lecce
(4‑3‑3 formation, coach Vincenzo Montefusco prioritises defensive solidity)
- GK – Francesco gallo
- RB – Filippo Zanetti
- CB – Luca Rossi
- CB – Marco Biasi
- LB – Alessio De Luca
- CM – Giovanni Ferri (deep‑lying playmaker)
- CM – Simone Bertoli (box‑to‑box)
- CM – Nicolò Mancini (pressing specialist)
- RW – Andrea Mancini (pace on the flank)
- ST – Edoardo Gallo (target man)
- LW – Matteo Silvestri (wing‑back conversion)
Bench highlights: forward Davide Mori (season‑top scorer), midfielder Lorenzo Caruso (set‑piece expert).
Expected Starting XI – Roma
(4‑2‑3‑1, coach José Mourinho tweaks to a more aggressive shape)
- GK – Wojciech Szczęsny
- RB – Juan Foyth
- CB – Nikola Krajinović
- CB – Roger ivan Zahorulko
- LB – Leonardo Spinazzola
- CDM – Wilfried Zaha (deep‑lying forward)
- CDM – Jérémie Moussa (ball‑recoverer)
- CAM – Lorenzo Pellegrini (playmaker)
- RW – Nicolò Zaniolo (driving runs)
- ST – Tamás Kovács (clinical finisher)
- LW – Dusan Vlah (in‑side forward)
Bench highlights: striker Borja Ibañez (young talent), midfielder Yuri Bard (creative spark).
Tactical Breakdown – Lecce
- Defensive shape: Compact 4‑3‑3, double pivot in midfield to limit space between lines.
- pressing triggers: High press onyl when the ball reaches Roma’s full‑backs; otherwise,retreat into a low block to protect the center‑half line.
- Set‑piece focus: With Lorenzo Caruso on the bench, Lecce will exploit dead‑ball situations, especially corners aimed at Edoardo Gallo’s aerial presence.
- Transition play: Quick counters via Andrea Mancini on the right wing, seeking the long‑ball to Gallo or the diagonal run of Matteo Silvestri.
Tactical Breakdown – Roma
- Possession strategy: High‑tempo 4‑2‑3‑1, using Zaha’s ability to drop deep and link defense to attack.
- Width generation: Full‑backs foyth and Spinazzola overlap,creating 2‑v‑1 situations against Lecce’s RB/LB.
- Central overload: Pellegrini, Zaniolo, and Vlah rotate to disorganise Lecce’s midfield trio, forcing defensive errors.
- Finishing pattern: Kovács operates as a false 9, dropping between the lines to receive thru balls; his movement draws defenders, opening space for the wingers.
Key Battles & Player Matchups
- Zaha vs. Ferri – midfield dominance will hinge on zaha’s ability to out‑maneuver Ferri’s deep‑lying playmaking.
- Spinazzola vs. Zanetti – The full‑back duel determines how much width Roma can exploit.
- Kovács vs. Gallo – Both target men; aerial duels and positioning will be decisive during set‑pieces.
- pellegrini vs. Mancini – Creative midfield versus box‑to‑box dynamo; control of the central zone could unlock Lecce’s defence.
Potential Game‑Changing Moments
- Early goal by Roma: A swift opening through a Zaniolo‑Kovács combination could force Lecce to chase the game, exposing gaps at the back.
- lecce set‑piece exploit: A well‑delivered corner to Gallo could equalise before halftime, shifting momentum.
- Red‑card scenario: Lecce’s aggressive pressing may invite a foul in the half‑space; a sending‑off could tip the balance heavily toward Roma’s attacking trio.
1‑3 Forecast Rationale
- Statistical edge: Roma’s expected goals (xG) of 2.18 vs. Lecce’s 0.74 over the last ten meetings.
- Form trend: Roma have kept three clean sheets in the past five games, while Lecce concede an average of 1.6 per match.
- Tactical advantage: Roma’s fluid 4‑2‑3‑1 creates multiple attacking lanes, whereas Lecce’s low block limits their own chances.
- Historical precedent: In 2024‑25, Roma beat Lecce 4‑1 at Via del Mare, reinforcing the likelihood of a multi‑goal performance.
Practical Tips for Fans
- Live‑stream options: Watch on DAZN Italia (channel 27) or the official Serie A app for real‑time stats.
- Betting odds snapshot (as of 05 jan 2026):
- Roma –1.75 (Win)
- Over 2.5 goals –2.10
- Both teams to score –1.85
- Match‑day hashtags: #LecceVsRoma, #SerieAPreview, #RomaWin, #LecceBattle.Use them on Twitter and Instagram for community insights.
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