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Juventus logo
Serie A | Gameweek 33
May 3, 2023 at 5pm UK
Allianz Stadium
Lecce logo
Juventus
2 - 1
Lecce
Paredes (15'), Vlahovic (40')
Paredes (55'), Bremer (76')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Ceesay (37' pen.)
Umtiti (48'), Pezzella (61')

Preview: Juventus vs. Lecce - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Serie A clash between Juventus and Lecce, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Facing opponents still to secure Serie A safety, Juventus aim to end a five-game winless streak when they welcome Lecce to Turin on Wednesday.

While third-placed Juve stumbled again in Sunday's draw with Bologna, their visitors from down south recorded a vital win at Via del Mare last time out, to move four points clear of the drop zone.


Match preview

Samuel Iling-Junior in action for Juventus in January 2023© Reuters

Having just crashed out in the Coppa Italia semi-finals - and after suffering three straight Serie A defeats - Juventus arrived at Bologna's Stadio Dall'Ara in desperate need of a positive result to stop their rollercoaster season sliding off track, but once again they came up short.

They had not lost to their Emilian hosts in 21 league matches ahead of the sides' clash last weekend, but after falling behind to a first-half penalty and then seeing Arkadiusz Milik miss his own spot-kick in calamitous fashion, Juve were behind at the break.

Standing in for Dusan Vlahovic, who was struggling with an ankle injury and could only make a late cameo from the bench, Milik at least redeemed himself on the hour mark: slotting home following fine work from teenage substitute Samuel Iling - one of several young guns to break through this season.

Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski was also able to add a couple of sharp saves to his penalty stop, as Max Allegri's men ultimately settled for a point - their last league victory came against lowly Hellas Verona right at the start of April.

Out of the Coppa, and with the Europa League their last hope of salvaging some silverware from a tumultuous campaign, Juve's main aim is now to retain a top-four place in Serie A, but their recent travails mean that even seventh-placed Atalanta have drawn within five points with six games remaining.

Both Milan clubs and Roma are also on the Bianconeri's coat-tails, while the recent rescinding of a 15-point penalty could yet be re-imposed, so nothing is certain at the Allianz Stadium, as Allegri's return to the club where he once enjoyed such success continues to go awry.

The embattled coach - who has drawn criticism for persistent tinkering with setups and personnel - now prepares his squad to meet opponents Juventus have lost to just four times in 33 meetings, so defeat cannot be countenanced.

Lecce's Alexis Blin with teammates celebrate after AC Milan's Theo Hernandez scores an own goal and Lecce's first on January 14, 2023© Reuters

Beaten by Nicolo Fagioli's strike at Via del Mare in October's reverse fixture, Lecce's last win over Wednesday's hosts came back in February 2011.

Though an overdue victory would be warmly welcomed this week, Marco Baroni's current team eased the pressure to achieve such a feat by edging out Udinese last Friday, when Gabriel Strefezza's spot-kick split the sides in Puglia.

Lecce's first home win since January inched them further away from danger at the wrong end of the standings, and last year's Serie B champions are close to securing a second straight top-flight campaign for next season.

Ending an eight-match winless run clearly aids the Giallorossi's cause in that regard, but alongside a tough trip to Lazio, they must also tackle direct relegation rivals Spezia and Verona during their next four games.

Taking anything home from Turin, even given Juve's current state, would be considered something of a bonus - particularly as they have scored just three times in their last nine matches and the Bianconeri generally give little away on home soil.

Juventus Serie A form:


Juventus form (all competitions):


Lecce Serie A form:


Team News

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri reacts on April 20, 2023© Reuters

In the aftermath of another disappointing display at the weekend, Max Allegi is set to make more alterations to his ever-changing Juventus XI on Wednesday - swiftly returning to a back three is a distinct possibility.

Bremer and club captain Leonardo Bonucci therefore front the queue for promotion from the bench, with Samuel Iling's impressive cameo in Bologna making him a contender too. Allegri has said that Adrien Rabiot and Alex Sandro will both be rested.

While Moise Kean is still sidelined, Dusan Vlahovic seems to have overcome his ankle problem, so the Serbian striker vies with Arkadiusz Milik to feature up front; either Federico Chiesa, Matias Soule or the returning Angel Di Maria will start in support.

Only long-term absentee Marin Pongracic will be unavailable to Marco Baroni due to injury, so Lecce could remain almost unchanged following their win over Udinese.

Top scorer Gabriel Strefezza must serve a suspension though; Lameck Banda is his likeliest replacement.

Once again, the imposing pairing of Samuel Umtiti and Federico Baschirotto should line up at the back, with Morten Hjulmand captaining the side from midfield. Short of goals in recent weeks, Milan loanee Lorenzo Colombo has to tussle with Assan Ceesay for selection up front.

Juventus possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Bremer, Bonucci, Danilo; De Sciglio, Fagioli, Locatelli, Miretti, Kostic; Di Maria; Milik

Lecce possible starting lineup:
Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Umtiti, Gallo; Blin, Hjulmand, Oudin; Banda, Ceesay, Di Francesco


SM words green background

We say: Juventus 1-0 Lecce

Though Juventus lost their defensive solidity in April, they can start a new month by shutting out goal-shy Lecce and getting back on the winning trail. It might not make pleasant viewing, but Max Allegri's men will grind out victory to stay one step ahead of their rivals in the top-four race.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:curl

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Game History

How you voted: Juventus vs Lecce

Juventus
90.1%
Draw
7.7%
Lecce
2.2%
91
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Dusan Vlahovic in action for Juventus on October 21, 2022
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CNapoli34265370234783
2Juventus34206852282466
3Lazio34197852262664
4Inter Milan342031162352763
5AC Milan341710755391661
6Atalanta BCAtalanta341771056411558
7Roma341771045331258
8Fiorentina341210124540546
9Udinese341113104541446
10Bologna341210124344-146
11Monza341210124245-346
12Torino341210123639-346
13SassuoloSassuolo34128144150-944
14Empoli34911143144-1338
15Salernitana34714134256-1435
16Lecce34710172841-1331
17Hellas VeronaHellas Verona3479182851-2330
18SpeziaSpezia34512172856-2827
19Cremonese34412183159-2824
20Sampdoria3438232061-4117

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