Having endured a difficult start to 2026, both Lazio and Lecce will be desperate to pick up as many points as possible when they meet at the Stadio Via del Mare on Saturday.

While the Biancocelesti retreated further; Serie ALecce, who moved into the top six after suffering a humiliating defeat at home on Monday, have now lost four games in a row and have fallen further into the drop zone.

Match preview

Lazio fell further behind their fellow European hopefuls on Monday night as they were unable to recover from being conceded a goal inside two minutes with a heavy defeat against Como at the Stadio Olimpico.

Coach Maurizio Sarri’s team, aiming for their first consecutive league win in almost a year, instead suffered their second defeat of the season against Lariani, ultimately losing 3-0.

Not only was this an unacceptable result for Biancocelesti fans, but it also continued a trend that was not matched in bigger matches.

Lazio have only picked up two points from seven Serie A games against top-six opponents this season, scoring just once and conceding just 10 times in the process.

They are now nine points behind Como and 14 points behind city rivals Roma, who occupy Italy’s last Champions League spot, but Sarri’s side cannot afford another slip-up on Saturday.

Lazio, who came from behind to win 2-0 at home in November, will aim for their fourth win in five games against Lecce this weekend.

© Imago

Despite a rare success on the final day of last season that resulted in Lazio losing their place in Europe, Lecce have struggled to pick up points against the Biancocelesti.

The 1-0 result in Roma also continued Salentini’s form, extending his current stay in Serie A to four years. This is already a club record for the southern side.

However, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side are just above the relegation zone after four consecutive defeats, and their continued stay at Calcio’s top table is currently at some risk.

In their last encounter, Lecce came from behind to defeat Inter Milan and then AC Milan, both by the same 1-0 scoreline, making it their second defeat at the San Siro in less than a week.

Adding to the lack of firepower, the Giallorossi have not even scored in four of their last five away games. They return to their home ground in Via del Mare and must continue to play tough games.

In addition to both Milan clubs, Di Francesco’s side have already faced Roma and Juventus since the start of 2026, and despite all their hardships, Lazio will be posed a tough test.

Lecce Serie A form:

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Lazio Serie A form:

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team news

© Imago/Eme Photo

One of the league’s busiest teams in the winter transfer window, Lazio recently gave debuts to Kenneth Taylor and Petar Latkov, with the latter set to compete with Tijani Nosrin for a starting spot up front.

Sarri’s options in midfield may be limited, with Matias Vecino and Toma Bacic hampered by minor injuries, Nicolo Lobella just returning from an extended break and Danilo Cataldi having to serve a one-match suspension.

Fisayo Dele-Bashir, who won an AFCON bronze medal with Nigeria, could take his place. Senegalese striker Boulaye Dia is also expected to return to the bench.

Patrick and Samuel Gigot will fill the absentee list for the visitors, while Lecce will be without Medon Berisha and Francesco Camarda through injury, as well as Chiaronda Gaspard through suspension.

In good news for Di Francesco, the Brazilian will take back his right-back spot as Danilo Veiga returns from suspension.

Walid Chedira will join on loan as cover for Camarda, who could be out for three months following shoulder surgery, while Nikola Sturić should lead the Giallorossi’s attack.

Lecce’s predicted starting lineup:

Falcone. Veiga, Gabriel, Siebert, Garo. Coulibaly, Ramadani. Pierotti, Gandelman, Sottil. sturic

Lazio’s expected starting lineup:

Provedel. Marusic, Gira, Romagnoli, Pellegrini. Vecino, Basic, Taylor. Canlieri, Latkov, Zaccagni

Says: Lecce 0-1 Lazio

It’s no secret why Lecce, the league’s lowest scorer, are in danger.

Lazio are not at their best either, but Salentini’s misfiring attack will once again cost them dearly.

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