Atalanta will look to get back to winning ways when they travel to Stadio Via del Mare to face struggling newcomers Lecce in Serie A.
Venue: Stadio Via del Mare (Lecce)
Key Statistics
Lecce are winless in their last six league games (D3, L3).
The hosts have the joint-second lowest attacking return in the league this season having scored just ten goals.
They have failed to win at home this season (D4, L3).
Atalanta have won five of their six away matches and remain undefeated away from home (D1).
They have kept five clean sheets in their last six away league games.
They have scored 10 and conceded just twice in six away games.
The visitors have scored first in 11 of their 13 Serie A matches this season, a joint-league high.
Head to head
Lecce’s record in this fixture is terrible as they have won only one of the last 18 head-to-head meetings between both sides (D8, L9).
Latest performances in all competitions
Lecce: D-L-L-D-L
Atalanta: L-W-L-W-D
Lecce
It has been a chastening return to the Serie A for Lecce who have so far won just one league game this season (D6, L6).
The hosts come into this tie on the back of a 1-1 draw with Udinese; a result that extended their winless run in the league to six games (D3, L3).
With his side currently placed just three points above the relegation zone after 13 games played, manager Marco Baroni needs to mastermind a change of form sooner rather than later, otherwise he risks ending the week in the red zone.
To do this, they simply have to improve their attacking prowess, with the ten goals they have scored this season, the joint-second lowest return in the league. Another area of improvement is their home form as they have been winless at the Stadio Via del Mare after seven league games here this season (D4, L3).
But with only one of their last 18 H2Hs against Atalanta (D8, L9), they might struggle to get the desired result here. But Lecce will be hoping Gabriel Strefezza can get them off on the right foot once again, as the Brazilian striker has scored his side’s opener in six of his last eight goal-scoring outings.
Possible Lecce starting line-up
Wladimiro Falcone; Valentin Gendrey, Federico Baschirotto, Marin Pongračić, Antonino Gallo; Morten Hjulmand, Alexis Blin, Joan Gonzàlez; Gabriel Strefezza, Lorenzo Colombo, Di Francesco.
Injured: Samuel Umtiti
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Atalanta
After a good start to the season, it is gradually coming off for Gian Piero Gasperini and his Atlanta side.
The visitors suffered their second defeat of the season and their second game in their last three at the weekend as they were beaten 2-1 by league leaders Napoli.
In a disappointing outing at the Gewiss Stadium, Ademola Lookman gave Atalanta the win, but the in-form Victor Osimhen and Ejlif Elmas turned the tie around and kept Napoli going.
The result, and weekend wins for Lazio and AC Milan means that Le Dea come into this tie sitting in the fourth position, eight points behind first-placed Napoli.
Having lost ground on the Serie A title race, Gian Piero Gasperini will be keen for his side to get back to winning ways and maintain their current top-four status as teams prepare to go on the World Cup break.
Travelling might just be what Atalanta needs, with the visitors almost perfect on their road trips this season, having won five of their six away matches and remaining undefeated (D1). They have been firing at both ends of the pitch during this run too, outscoring their opponents 10-2 in the process.
They have also kept five clean sheets away from home and will fancy their chances of a big win here especially as they have won the last two meetings between both teams by a 10-3 aggregate.
Possible Atalanta starting line-up
Juan Musso; Rafael Toloi, Caleb Okoli, Berat Djimsiti; Hans Hateboer, Marten De Roon, Ederson José, Teun Koopmeiners, Brandon Soppy; Ademola Lookman, Duván Zapata.
Injured: Luis Muriel
Doubtful: Davide Zappacosta
Suspended: None
Prediction
Lecce 0-3 Atalanta
