Lecce vs. Udinese Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 21 February 2025 - bettingexpert

On 21 February 2025, Lecce will host Udinese at Stadio Ettore Giardiniero – Via del Mare in a crucial Serie A clash. Kicking off at 19:45, this match features two teams in different dynamics of the league standings. Lecce, sitting 15th with 25 points, is battling to stay clear of the relegation zone, while Udinese, in 10th spot with 33 points, is looking to climb further up the table.

Referee Kevin Bonacina will officiate what promises to be a tightly contested match. Despite Lecce’s resilient defense with two clean sheets in their last five games, they struggle offensively. Udinese, showing improved form recently and a better track record in head-to-head matches, comes in as the bookmaker’s favorite but has been weaker in away games.

Our match tips suggest a draw, highlighted by odds of 3.3, considering Lecce’s tendency to secure draws and both teams’ knack for close encounters. With Udinese scoring in 84% of their matches and Lecce’s fight against relegation, expect a competitive fixture.

Lecce vs Udinese Prediction & Betting tip

Our recommended betting tip for this match is a draw, given the balanced nature of both teams and their recent performances.

Lecce vs Udinese Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Draw	3.3

• Lecce has shown strong defensive work, managing two clean sheets in their last five games.
• Udinese, though the slight bookmakers’ favourite, tend to be weaker in away games, making a draw more probable.
• Both teams have a history of close matches, frequently decided by a margin of just one goal.

Given these factors, a draw appears to be a sensible prediction for this encounter, blending the dynamics of team strengths and recent form.

Lecce vs Udinese Match Preview

We’re gearing up for an intriguing Serie A clash where Lecce hosts Udinese. Both teams come into this match with a lot to prove and a keen eye on the standings where every point matters as the season progresses.

Team Form and Insights

Lecce
Lecce has shown commendable defensive resilience lately, racking up two clean sheets in their last five outings. While they haven’t been prolific in front of goal, their robust defending has certainly been their calling card this season. This defensive solidity could be crucial in their battle to stymie Udinese’s attacking threats.

Udinese
On the other side, Udinese has had a mixed bag of performances; they’re considered slight favourites by bookmakers, but they tend to struggle when playing away from home. Their away form has been shaky, often leading to dropped points in games they might be expected to win. However, Udinese’s attacking unit possesses enough quality to trouble any defense, making this match anything but straightforward.

Head-to-Head

Historically, games between Lecce and Udinese have often been tightly contested affairs. Many of their past encounters have ended with narrow margins, frequently decided by just a single goal. This trend suggests that we could be in for another closely fought match.

Venue

The setting for this clash is Lecce’s home ground. Known for its passionate support, the venue will undoubtedly provide a boost for the home side. The backing of their fans could be a pivotal factor in maintaining their recent defensive stoutness and possibly snatching a goal on the break.

 

Given these factors, a draw seems to be a well-founded prediction for this encounter. This match is likely to reflect the dynamics of team strengths and recent form, making it an intriguing fixture for fans and punters alike.

Lecce Team Analysis

Lecce Recent Performance

Lecce have had a mixed bag of results in their last five matches, highlighting their inconsistent form. Despite this, defensively they have shown some strength with two clean sheets from their last five outings. Offensively, however, they have struggled, managing an average of just 0.80 goals scored per game in this period.

Recent Matches:

Home team	Away team	Result
Monza	Lecce	0-0 (Draw)
Lecce	Bologna	0-0 (Draw)
Parma Calcio 1913	Lecce	1-3 (Win)
Lecce	Inter	0-4 (Loss)
Cagliari	Lecce	4-1 (Loss)

Lecce’s robust defensive displays, as evidenced by their two recent clean sheets, will be key as they seek to pick up vital points to move away from the relegation battle. They’ll need to find the net more consistently, however, to turn draws into wins.

Lecce Key Players

Nikola Krstović stands out as Lecce’s key player, being the top scorer with seven goals this season. He will be crucial in leading the attacking front against Udinese and will be looking to exploit any defensive gaps left by their opponents.

In midfield, Santiago Pierotti and Lassana Coulibaly will need to be in top form to control the game and provide opportunities for Krstović.

Defensively, Federico Baschirotto and Wladimiro Falcone will be pivotal. Their recent clean sheets highlight their importance in keeping Udinese’s potent attack at bay.

Expected lineup for Lecce:

• Goalkeeper: Wladimiro Falcone
• Defenders: Gaby Jean, Frédéric Guilbert, Federico Baschirotto, Antonino Gallo
• Midfielders: Thórir Jóhann Helgason, Balthazar Pierret, Lassana Coulibaly
• Attackers: Santiago Pierotti, Nikola Krstović, Tete Morente

Lecce Suspensions & Injuries

Lecce has been fortunate in terms of suspensions, with none to report for this match. However, they are dealing with a significant injury.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Filip Marchwinski	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season

The absence of Filip Marchwinski is a crucial blow for Lecce. His season-ending cruciate ligament injury leaves a gap in the midfield, as he has been pivotal in their playmaking.
This injury will likely make it harder for Lecce to control the midfield against Udinese, putting added pressure on Santiago Pierotti and Lassana Coulibaly to step up their game.

Lecce Tactics and Formation

Lecce Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Nikola Krstovic
• Midfield Trio: Lassana Coulibaly, Balthazar Pierret, Thórir Jóhann Helgason
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Solid defensive work, often focusing on maintaining structure and disrupting the opposition.

Marco Giampaolo’s side will likely stick to a disciplined 4-3-3, aiming to shut down Udinese’s attacking threats. With Krstovic leading the line, Lecce will seek to exploit any defensive lapses. The midfield trio will be key in both defense and transition, tasked with controlling the pace and shielding the backline. Expect Lecce to play cautiously, emphasizing defense-first tactics to secure precious points.

Udinese Team Analysis

Udinese Recent Performance

Udinese has shown a mixed bag of results in their recent outings, demonstrating both attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities.

• Clean sheets: 1 in the last 5 matches
• Average goals scored: 1.80 per game

Home team	Away team	Result
Udinese	Empoli	3-0 (Win)
SSC Napoli	Udinese	1-1 (Draw)
Udinese	Venezia	3-2 (Win)
Udinese	Roma	1-2 (Loss)
Como	Udinese	4-1 (Loss)

That gives them a recent form of: WDWLL.
Despite a strong performance against weaker opponents like Empoli, they struggled against top-tier teams like Roma, showing inconsistency. With key players like Lorenzo Lucca and Florian Thauvin, Udinese can be potent in attack but need to tighten their defense to secure better results.

Udinese Key Players

Udinese relies heavily on the attacking prowess of their top scorer, Lorenzo Lucca, who has netted 9 goals this season. His partnership with Florian Thauvin, another key attacker, forms a formidable forward line.

In midfield, Sandi Lovric and Jesper Karlström are crucial for both creating chances and maintaining possession. They will be pivotal in breaking down Lecce’s defense and containing their counter-attacks.

Expected lineup for Udinese:

• Goalkeeper: Razvan Sava
• Defenders: Kingsley Ehizibue, Jaka Bijol, Oumar Solet, Hassane Kamara
• Midfielders: Sandi Lovric, Jesper Karlström, Arthur Atta, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp
• Attackers: Florian Thauvin, Lorenzo Lucca

Key battles to watch include Lucca against Lecce’s solid defenders Federico Baschirotto and Frédéric Guilbert.

Udinese Suspensions & Injuries

Udinese enters this match with a few players sidelined due to injuries, which might impact their squad depth and overall performance. Fortunately, there are no suspensions affecting the team in this round.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Maduka Okoye	Wrist injury	Doubtful
Isaak Toure	Knee injury	Mid March 2025
Keinan Davis	Virus	Early March 2025

These injuries particularly affect their defensive and midfield options. With Maduka Okoye’s status doubtful, the goalkeeping responsibilities fall on Razvan Sava. Isaak Toure’s ongoing knee issue limits their defensive choices, while Keinan Davis’ virus impacts their midfield depth. This could lead to tactical adjustments from Kosta Runjaić to ensure a balanced side against Lecce.

Udinese Tactics and Formation

Udinese’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Goalkeeper: Razvan Sava
• Key Forward: Lorenzo Lucca
• Midfield Trio: Arthur Atta, Sandi Lovric, Jesper Karlström
• Defensive Line: Kingsley Ehizibue, Jaka Bijol, Oumar Solet, Hassane Kamara
• Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games.

Under the guidance of Kosta Runjaić, Udinese will likely deploy a 4-3-3 formation to leverage their strong attacking capabilities. Lorenzo Lucca will spearhead the attack, being the team’s top scorer with 9 goals.

In midfield, Arthur Atta, Sandi Lovric, and Jesper Karlström are expected to orchestrate play, maintain possession, and provide defensive support.

Defensively, Kingsley Ehizibue, Jaka Bijol, Oumar Solet, and Hassane Kamara form a solid back four, key to their strategy, especially with Razvan Sava standing strong in goal.

A notable strategy for Udinese is their consistent goal-scoring ability, having netted in 84% of their matches this season.

Lecce vs Udinese Head-to-Head Statistics

Home	Away	Result
Udinese	Lecce	1-0
Lecce	Udinese	0-2
Udinese	Lecce	1-1
Lecce	Udinese	1-0
Lecce	Udinese	0-2

Lecce and Udinese have faced each other five times recently, with Udinese emerging victorious in three of those encounters, Lecce winning once, and one match ending in a draw. Both teams frequently play close matches, often decided by a margin of just one goal, making this upcoming clash an intriguing prospect.

Odds accurate as of 19 February 2025 at 19:46, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.