Lecce vs Empoli prediction 08.11.2024 | Serie A

• Competition: Serie A
• Date: 08.11.2024
• Kickoff: 19:45 UK / 20:45 CEST
• Venue: Stadio Via del Mare (Lecce) 

Lecce’s battle to stay up in the league rolls on. They grabbed a crucial win over Verona recently, but stumbled again last round, falling to Bologna by the narrowest of margins. Bologna dominated the field, keeping Lecce penned in and constantly testing their defense. For most of the game, Lecce held firm, resisting wave after wave of attacks, but just when it looked like they might escape with a draw, Riccardo Orsolini broke through with a perfectly placed header that clinched it for Bologna. They fully deserved the win, having shut down Lecce so thoroughly that they didn’t allow a single shot on target.

On the other side, Empoli’s been looking much stronger than they did around this time last season. Sitting in 11th place with 14 points, they broke a rough five-game winless streak with a solid 1-0 victory over Como at home. Young forward Pietro Pellegri, on loan from Torino, was the star, capitalizing on a defensive error early in the second half to score a beauty and secure those valuable points for Empoli.

Lecce vs Empoli pick: DOUBLE CHANCE, DRAW OR EMPOLI WIN 

Although we’re not even halfway through the season yet, Lecce is already looking like one of the top candidates for relegation. They’ve got a few experienced players, and there’s been clear improvement since the start of the season, but it’s still a far cry from the level most teams in the league are playing at. Right now, Lecce holds two unfortunate records: they’ve conceded the most goals and scored the fewest by a long shot. Just 4 goals in 11 games - simply not enough to even trouble weaker sides, let alone a solid team like Empoli.

Empoli, on the other hand, boasts one of the stronger defenses in the league and surprisingly performs even better away from home. Oddly enough, the bookies are giving a slight edge to Lecce here, but based on current form, it would take a real surprise for them to come away with a win. I’m leaning toward a safer bet with double chance on Empoli, but for those looking to take a bit more risk, backing an outright Empoli win could be worth it.