Lecce vs Inter Milan

Inter Milan’s relentless pursuit of the Serie A title continues at Stadio Via del Mare against bottom-half strugglers Lecce.

Stuck in mid-table mediocrity after losing seven of their last nine league matches (W1, D1), Lecce stare down the barrel of a potential relegation scrap, with only five points separating them from 19th-placed Cagliari ahead of the kick-off. Back-to-back losses by 2+ goals ‘to nil’ paint a bleak picture for Roberto D’Aversa’s side in the build-up to this game, not to mention their dreadful run started with a 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture. However, ‘I Giallorossi’ can turn to their home form for inspiration, having lost just one of their last six league outings in Puglia (W2, D3). With both teams scoring in five of those six matches, action on both ends of the field is on the cards. But most of the drama should take place in front of Lecce’s goal, considering they’ve conceded precisely twice in their last three H2Hs (L3).

Buoyed by a well-deserved 1-0 home win against Atletico Madrid in midweek Champions League action, runaway Serie A leaders return to domestic proceedings in high spirits. Simone Inzaghi’s men took advantage of another Juventus slip-up to nine points clear at the table’s summit with a 4-0 demolition of Salernitana last weekend. With a game in hand, ‘I Nerazzurri’ seem destined for a landmark 20th Scudetto. Winners in their last nine games in all competitions, the visitors will seek another success at Via del Mare, where they’ve only won once on their four most recent visits (D2, L1). Defensive solidity should provide the backbone for another win, as Inter have racked up seven shutouts across their last 12 Serie A travels.