On March 14, 2025, US Lecce will face Genoa CFC at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium, as two struggling teams meet with contrasting aspirations.
Genoa, currently sitting 12th in the Serie A standings, is hoping to capitalize on its home advantage after managing two consecutive draws. Andrea Pinamonti, Genoa's leading scorer, has netted eight goals this season, contributing significantly to the team's overall performance. The club has created 40 goal-scoring chances led by Aaron Martin, who has been pivotal for the team.
Meanwhile, US Lecce, positioned just above the relegation zone at 16th, has witnessed troubling times, going winless over their last five outings. A loss against AC Milan by 3-2 last week only added to their woes. Nikola Krstovic leads US Lecce with nine goals this season, showcasing his importance as the team seeks to escape the relegation battle. Despite his individual accolades, the team sits at the bottom of Serie A with just 20 goals scored throughout the season.
The matchup promises to be tightly contested, with both clubs lacking the form needed to climb the table. Genoa averages 0.9 goals scored per game, ranking 16th, whereas Lecce falls behind with just 0.7 goals per game, placing them at the bottom of the Table. Defensively, Genoa allows 1.3 goals per match, compared to Lecce, which gives away 1.6 goals per match.
Interestingly, Krstovic's performance has seen him exceed his expected goals (xG), with 9 actual goals surpassing his xG of 3.6. This illuminating statistic hints at potential discrepancies within the Lecce attack, indicating they may need to find greater efficiency from its attacking opportunities.
With Genoa's home ground advantage and more consolidated form, they may enter the match as clear favorites against Lecce, particularly with the latter's poor scoring record. Both teams will need to tighten up defensively if they are to turn their fortunes around but for now, Genoa seems to hold the edge heads-up. The match kicks off at 3:45 PM ET.
The stakes could not be higher for Lecce as they hope to avoid slipping closer to the relegation spots, whilst Genoa eyes the chance to push upward away from the danger zone.