Lecce vs AS Roma — Match Preview
A depleted AS Roma side travels south to the Stadio Via del Mare on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, to face Lecce in a tricky midweek Serie A fixture. The Giallorossi sit 5th in the table with 33 points but are reeling from a 0–1 defeat to Atalanta just days ago. Manager Ivan Juric (or current boss) faces a defensive nightmare with key center-backs suspended or on international duty. Lecce, currently 16th with 17 points, will be buoyed by their gritty 1–1 draw against Juventus in Turin on Saturday. The Salentini are fighting for survival and will smell blood against a Roma defense forced to field teenagers and full-backs in central roles.
Lecce vs AS Roma — Match Info
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 19)
- Venue: Stadio Via del Mare, Lecce (Capacity: 40,670)
- Date: Wednesday, 7 January 2026
- Kickoff: 20:45 CET | 19:45 GMT | 14:45 ET
- Referee: TBC (AIA Appointment)
Lecce vs AS Roma — Match Stakes
Lecce (16th — 17 pts):
- Win → Moves to 20 pts; creates significant breathing room from the relegation zone.
- Draw → Back-to-back results against giants (Juve, Roma); builds immense confidence.
- Loss → Keeps them in the danger zone; pressure mounts if teams below them pick up points.
AS Roma (5th — 33 pts):
- Win → Moves to 36 pts; keeps them in the hunt for Champions League football (Top 4).
- Draw → A stumble; risks falling further behind Atalanta, Milan, and Juventus.
- Loss → Back-to-back defeats; exposes squad depth issues and threatens their European ambitions.
Lecce vs AS Roma — Team News
Lecce:
- Coulibaly L. — Out (International Duty – AFCON)
- Rafia H. — Out (Inactive)
- Berisha M. — Out (Injury)
- Pierret B. — Out (Muscle Injury)
- Tete Morente — Out (Foot Injury)
- Youth Injection: Young Milan loanee Francesco Camarda is expected to start upfront, supported by the pace of Lameck Banda.
AS Roma:
- Defensive Crisis: Mancini G. (Suspended), Hermoso M. (Suspended), and Ndicka E. (AFCON) are all OUT. This leaves Roma with zero senior center-backs.
- El Aynaoui N. — Out (International Duty – AFCON)
- Pellegrini Lo. — Out (Thigh Injury – Captain Missing)
- Bailey L. — Out (Thigh Injury)
- Baldanzi T. — Out (Illness)
- Bove E. — Out (Heart Problems)
- Makeshift Defense: Zeki Celik and youngster Jan Ziolkowski are expected to form a patchwork central defense.
Lecce vs AS Roma — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Lecce
- 03/01 — 1–1 vs Juventus (Serie A)
- 27/12 — 0–3 vs Como (Serie A)
- 13/12 — 1–0 vs Pisa (Serie A)
- 07/12 — 0–2 vs Cremonese (Serie A)
- 30/11 — 2–1 vs Torino (Serie A)
AS Roma
- 04/01 — 0–1 vs Atalanta (Serie A)
- 30/12 — 3–1 vs Genoa (Serie A)
- 21/12 — 1–2 vs Juventus (Serie A)
- 16/12 — 1–0 vs Como (Serie A)
- 12/12 — 3–0 vs Celtic (Europa League)
Lecce vs AS Roma — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 30/03/2025 — Lecce 0–1 AS Roma (Serie A)
- 08/12/2024 — AS Roma 4–1 Lecce (Serie A)
- 01/04/2024 — Lecce 0–0 AS Roma (Serie A)
- 05/11/2023 — AS Roma 2–1 Lecce (Serie A)
- 11/02/2023 — Lecce 1–1 AS Roma (Serie A)
Lecce vs AS Roma — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Lecce (4-3-3)
Falcone; Veiga, Gaspar, Tiago Gabriel, Gallo; Kaba, Ramadani, Maleh; Pierotti, Camarda, Banda
AS Roma (4-2-3-1)
Svilar; Rensch, Celik, Ziolkowski, Wesley; Cristante, Kone; Soule, Dybala, Tsimikas (Advanced Role/Wingback); Ferguson
Lecce vs AS Roma — Impact Bench
Lecce: Oudin (Set-pieces), Sansone (Experience)
AS Roma: Paredes (Control), Dovbyk (Goal threat if fit), Shomurodov
Lecce vs AS Roma — Tactical Analysis
Lecce
Lecce will target Roma’s decimated backline. With Celik (a right-back) and Ziolkowski (a youth player) at center-back, Lecce will instruct Lameck Banda to drive directly at them. The hosts will look to bypass midfield quickly and isolate Roma’s defenders 1v1. Defensively, Wladimiro Falcone must be alert to Dybala’s long-range efforts.
AS Roma
Despite the defensive crisis, Roma’s attack remains lethal. Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule will look to control possession and keep the ball away from their own fragile defense. Expect Roma to press high to prevent Lecce from launching long balls. Evan Ferguson provides a physical outlet to hold up play, which is vital to relieving pressure on the backline.
Lecce vs AS Roma — Key Battles
- Banda vs Celik — Lecce’s speedster vs Roma’s makeshift center-back.
- Dybala vs Ramadani — The creative genius vs the midfield destroyer.
- Camarda vs Ziolkowski — A battle of two teenagers in the penalty box.
- Falcone vs Ferguson — GK stopping the Irish striker.
Lecce vs AS Roma — Spotlight Players
Lecce — Lameck Banda
The Zambian winger is Lecce’s most dangerous weapon. With Roma missing their starting defenders, his pace could cause chaos on the counter-attack.
AS Roma — Paulo Dybala
“La Joya” must carry the team. With Pellegrini out and the defense vulnerable, Dybala needs to produce a masterclass in creativity and finishing to ensure Roma simply outscores Lecce.
Lecce vs AS Roma — Prediction
Lecce 1–1 AS Roma
Roma have superior quality in attack, but their defensive absences are catastrophic. Playing away at the Via del Mare is never easy, and Lecce are confident after drawing with Juventus. Expect a disjointed Roma defense to concede, but Dybala to rescue a point.
Lecce vs AS Roma — Betting Insights
- Both Teams to Score — High Probability (Roma’s defense is makeshift).
- Double Chance — Lecce or Draw.
- Paulo Dybala to Score or Assist — Likely.
Lecce vs AS Roma — Where to Watch
- Italy: DAZN / Sky Sport
- USA: Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo
- UK: TNT Sports
Lecce vs AS Roma — FAQs
Q: When is the Lecce vs AS Roma match?
A: The match kicks off on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, at 20:45 CET.
Q: Why are Mancini and Ndicka missing?
A: Mancini is suspended due to yellow cards, and Ndicka is on international duty (AFCON).
Q: Is Lorenzo Pellegrini playing?
A: No. The Roma captain is out with a thigh injury.
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