Tyrone Ebuehi’s Empoli fight for first Serie point away to Lecce Predictions

Tyrone Ebuehi and Empoli will visit Stadio Via del Mare on Sunday in a battle of two teams without a win as Empoli meet with Lecce in a game that is absolutely too tough one to call.

Empoli are one of three Serie A sides yet to even score a goal in two rounds of action, and will be keen to get something from the long trip to southern Italy.

Lecce won promotion to Serie A as champions of Serie B but are yet to pick up a point this season after loses to Inter and Sassuolo after two Serie A opening weeks this season. Empoli is the first opponent that might be seen as a potential relegation rival to the home team, making all three points at stake very important for the Salentini.

They remain linked with Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti, who could join the club on loan for the rest of the season. He would be a valuable asset in the fight against the drop and could link up nicely with new signing Marin Pongračić.

Lecce have historically been unable to stay in the top flight for more than one season and will be desperate to get off to a good start. With two defeats already, this clash with Empoli is already feeling a little like a must-win.

Empoli tend to stick around a little longer in Serie A and surprised a few people last season by finishing 14^th – well away from the drop zone. Paolo Zanetti will feel as though he will be able to repeat that trick this year too.

Although Empoli have not been able to find the net yet this season, there have been some good performances and it could be argued that the Azzurri might have been able to snatch all three points at home to Fiorentina last weekend.

This is an interesting side to watch and there have been some good additions to the squad – such as Mattia Destro, who joined from relegated Genoa. If he can start scoring, Empoli could prove a handful once again.

Lecce vs. Empoli line-ups

Lecce (4-3-3): Falcone; Gallo, Baschirotto, Pongračić, Gendrey; Gonzalez, Hjulmand, Bistrović; Di Francesco, Ceesay, Strefezza

Empoli (4-3-1-2): Vicario; Parisi, De Winter, Ismajli, Stojanović; Henderson, Marin, Bandinelli; Bajrami; Destro, Lammers

Lecce team news

Lecce head coach Marco Baroni could hand a new loan signing Marin Pongračić his first start after arriving from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. But he will have to wait for the possible arrival of Samuel Umtiti to really bolster his back line.

Empoli team news

Paolo Zanetti should be pleased how his players went toe to toe with Fiorentina last week and managed to hang on for the draw with just nine players on the pitch at the end. The red-carded Sebastiano Luperto could be replaced with Koni De Winter.

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