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Stadio Via del Mare sets the stage for a high-stakes Serie A showdown between bottom-half Lecce and European hopefuls Milan. With both sides faltering in their quests to achieve seasonal goals, the margin for error is slim.<\/p>\n
Even though Wladimiro Falcone thwarted Lucas Beltran\u2019s second-half penalty, Lecce slipped to a narrow 1-0 loss at Fiorentina last weekend. Robin Gosens\u2019 ninth-minute strike condemned Marco Giampaolo\u2019s side to a fourth consecutive league match without winning (D2, L2).<\/p>\n
As a result, they finished the previous round only three points clear of 18th-placed Empoli, heightening the pressure on Giampaolo to deliver against his former employers. With Lecce\u2019s last goal in Serie A dating back to late December, a return to winning ways doesn\u2019t look likely.<\/p>\n
However, everything\u2019s possible with this underachieving Milan side. A heartbreaking 2-1 home defeat to Lazio last weekend left the Rossoneri a massive 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Juventus. Therefore, a fifth successive top-four finish is already a pipe dream.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a more pressing concern. Indeed, Milan could fail to secure European qualification altogether. A disastrous three-match losing league streak has opened up a six-point gap to sixth-placed Bologna, highlighting the importance of scooping up all three at Via del Mare.<\/p>\n
Lecce<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to their four-game winless streak, Lecce continue to falter in front of goal. Giampaolo\u2019s charges failed to find the back of the net on all four occasions, contributing to the division\u2019s worst scoring record. They\u2019ve only netted 18 this season and head into proceedings as the only Serie A side yet to reach a 20-goal threshold.<\/p>\n The impending return to the home comforts of their Via del Mare cannot inspire much confidence, considering they haven\u2019t scored in any of their last four home league outings (D2, L2). However, revenge could be a powerful motive as they seek retribution for a horrendous 3-0 loss in September\u2019s reverse fixture at the San Siro.<\/p>\n Lecce can draw inspiration from their impressive scoring form against Milan on home turf. They\u2019ve scored at least once across their last nine home league games against the Rossoneri, losing just twice in that period (W1, D6). Interestingly, the two most recent top-flight meetings on this ground produced an identical 2-2 scoreline.<\/p>\n Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n Entertainment is not what under-pressure Milan manager Sergio Conceicao needs right now. He needs results amid Rossoneri\u2019s worst Serie A crisis in five years. Three consecutive league defeats in the build-up to this trip perhaps best illustrate the depth of the problem as they bid to avoid losing four in a row for the first time since April 1986.<\/p>\n However, Milan\u2019s recent form on the road paints a bleak picture. Conceicao\u2019s charges have suffered five defeats on their last six road trips in all competitions (W1), including back-to-back 2-1 losses in Serie A at the hands of Bologna and Torino. Another would mark the first set of three consecutive away league defeats for the first time since May 2015.<\/p>\n Yet, there\u2019s a silver lining. Milan have beaten Lecce via an identical 3-0 scoreline in their last two Serie A clashes and could make it three wins on the trot against the Giallorossi for the first time since September 2003. But it\u2019s worth noting that they\u2019ve only won two top-flight encounters at Via del Mare in the 21st century!<\/p>\n Lecce boss Giampaolo cannot call upon Filip Marchwinski and Joan Gonzalez for this fixture. But star forward Nikola Krstovic should lead the line despite suffering a knock in Florence last week. Meanwhile, Thorir Helgason is close to recovering from illness.<\/p>\n On the other hand, Milan will be without long-term absentees Alessandro Florenzi, Emerson Royal, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. First-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan is also unavailable after picking up a post-match red card against Lazio.<\/p>\n Kyle Walker should return to the starting line-up, while Tammy Abraham could take Santiago Gimenez\u2019s place in attack.<\/p>\n Lecce (4-2-3-1):<\/strong> Falcone; Guilbert, Baschirotto, Jean, Gallo; Pierret, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Helgason, Morente; Krstovic.<\/p>\n Milan (4-2-3-1):<\/strong> Sportiello; Walker, Tomori, Gabbia, Hernandez; Bondo, Reijnders; Musah, Pulisic, Jimenez; Abraham.<\/p>\n Anything other than three points would be a disaster for Milan. However, it\u2019s almost impossible to back the visitors for success with conviction. Another disappointing result looks more likely.<\/p>\nTeam News<\/h2>\n
Lecce vs Milan Potential Starting Line-ups<\/h2>\n
Lecce vs Milan Prediction<\/h2>\n