Fiorentina will host Lecce at the Stadio Artemio Franchi as part of Serie A's Round 27 this Friday, February 28, 2025. The kickoff is scheduled for 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT). With Fiorentina currently sitting sixth and Lecce struggling near the relegation zone, both teams are under pressure to gain three points.
Fiorentina, managed by Raffaele Palladino, is desperate to bounce back after suffering three consecutive defeats, including losses to Hellas Verona (0-1), Como (0-2), and Inter Milan (1-2). They have failed to score in their last two matches, which has added to their frustration. The team remains without their top scorer, Moise Kean, who is sidelined due to concussion protocols after sustaining head trauma last week. Other notable absences include Yacine Adli, Albert Gudmundsson, Andrea Colpani, and Amir Richardson, all due to injuries or suspension.
Coach Palladino is expected to adapt his line-up significantly, possibly fielding either 3-5-2 or 4-2-3-1 formations. If Palladino opts for three at the back, he might deploy Luca Ranieri, Marin Pongracic, and Giovanni Comuzzo. Alternatively, employing four defenders could lead to Andrea Parisi starting alongside Ranieri, Pongracic, and Comuzzo.
On the other hand, Lecce, coached by Marco Giampaolo, has not fared much worse, being just one spot above the relegation zone. The visitors have won only six of their 26 league matches this season and are coming off three matches without victory. They lost last week to Udinese (0-1), failing to find the back of the net for the third straight time.
With key players Gonzalez and Marchwinski missing, Lecce will look to Karlsson and Nikola Krstovic for goals, as both have been pivotal players this season. Krstovic is currently the team’s leading scorer with seven goals and three assists, making him one to watch on Friday.
Stats indicate significant disparities between the teams. Fiorentina averages 1.6 goals per game compared to Lecce’s meager 0.7, which clearly highlights Lecce’s issues with scoring. The last encounter between the two saw Fiorentina achieve a decisive 6-0 victory away from home, which adds to Lecce's burden heading to Florence. Historically, Fiorentina holds the upper hand against Lecce, with 16 wins recorded compared to Lecce’s 12 from their 41 encounters.
This matchup has added significance as each team strives to improve their current standing. Fiorentina is aiming for Europa League qualification, requiring victories to maintain pace with competitors. Conversely, Lecce aims to avoid dropping points which could lead to relegation.
The match will be available for streaming on platforms like Paramount+ for US viewers and OneFootball for UK audiences.
Predictions for the match lean toward Fiorentina capturing the win, potentially with a score of around 2-1, considering their home form and the necessary points at stake. BetGoodwin has Fiorentina’s win odds set at 19/25, reflecting their status as favorites. The encounter is expected not only as a tactical battle but also as one of heart and determination for both sides.