Scrapping for their Serie A survival, Lecce will welcome mid-table Como to Stadio Via del Mare on Saturday.
Just two points clear of the drop zone with six games to play, the Salentini need to end a nine-match winless run this weekend, while their visitors have all but confirmed a second straight season in the top flight.
Match preview
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A week after ending their streak of five consecutive defeats, Lecce were beaten once again last Saturday, when they lost 2-1 to Juventus in Turin.
Though captain Federico Baschirotto scored again, with his second headed goal in the space of a few days, the Salento side were unable to complete a late comeback and ultimately made the long trip back home empty-handed.
One of just four outfield players to play every minute in Serie A this season - while Juve's injured defender Bremer is the only defender to net more headers over the past three campaigns - the burly centre-back could be playing in Italy's second tier next term.
Over the past seven matchdays, Lecce have claimed just a single point - via Baschirotto's strike in a recent 1-1 draw with Venezia - and they are placed precariously above the relegation zone.
The Giallorossi have failed to even score in five of their last seven home fixtures, as star striker Nikola Krstovic continues to plough a lone furrow up front, and they would go 10 league games without a win anywhere if they fail again this weekend.
So, Marco Giampaolo's men will hope their visitors are ready to step off the gas, having essentially wrapped up a spot in Serie A for next season.
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After a 2-1 victory in December's reverse fixture - earned by goals from Nico Paz and Patrick Cutrone - Como remain unbeaten in top-flight meetings with Lecce, boasting an impressive overall record of four wins and one draw.
Most of those matches took place many years ago, but Cesc Fabregas and co are well-placed to extend that trend on Saturday, having just posted back-to-back wins that all but sealed safety for a club promoted back to the big time last summer.
The Lariani posted a sixth home success last time out, at the expense of Torino, making it four games without defeat in front of their own fans at Stadio Sinigaglia: January signing Anastasios Douvikas scored the only goal shortly before half time.
The Greek striker was one of several mid-season acquisitions made by the ambitious Lombardy club - a luxury not afforded to most of their relegation rivals - and they are now 12 points clear of danger.
Much closer to claiming a top-half finish, Como can improve their chances of securing an unexpected top-10 spot by winning three Serie A matches on the spin - the last time they achieved such a feat was way back in 1952.
Team News
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As defensive regular Gaby Jean suffered a serious, season-ending knee injury last week, Lecce must make a change at the back, where Marco Giampaolo may consider reverting to a four-man rearguard.
Long-term absentee Filip Marchwinski is the only other man missing for the hosts, so Giampaolo still has an almost full squad to choose from.
Undoubtedly, Nikola Krstovic will provide the focal point up front, having hit double figures in Serie A by scoring against Genoa last month.
The youngest player to record at least five goals and five assists this season, Como's Nico Paz should recover from a calf problem that saw him benched against Torino.
It remains to be seen whether the Real Madrid loanee will displace Anastasios Douvikas in attack, or if Cesc Fabregas opts for a front four featuring both - ex-Lecce man Gabriel Strefezza is among several contenders to join them.
Only centre-back Alberto Dossena (ACL) and experienced midfielder Sergi Roberto (thigh) are sidelined by injury.
Lecce possible starting lineup:
Falcone; Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo; Pierret, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Helgason, Morente; Krstovic
Como possible starting lineup:
Butez; Vojvoda, Goldaniga, Kempf, Valle; Caqueret, Da Cunha; Strefezza, Paz, Diao; Douvikas
We say: Lecce 1-0 Como
Although Como beat rock-bottom Monza in their most recent away game, they generally struggle to produce their best stuff outside Stadio Sinigaglia.
As the Lariani also have little left to play for, low-scoring Lecce can capitalise and snatch three precious points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
