Match Preview

The Serie A Matchday 1 clash between Genoa and Lecce is scheduled for August 23 at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium. This preview provides a detailed forecast, betting odds, and statistics for the Genoa vs. Lecce encounter.

Genoa Team Overview

Previous Season’s Performance

Last season, the team finished in 13th position, accumulating 43 points. Consequently, Genoa failed to break into the Serie A top-10 for the tenth consecutive season. It’s worth noting that the club had a challenging end to the championship, securing only one victory in their last seven league matches (2 draws, 4 losses). Despite this, the Genovese side managed to score seven goals in their last three Serie A fixtures. In preparation for the upcoming season, the team played four friendly matches, achieving two wins and two draws.

Key Player Transfers for Genoa

During the off-season, defenders Koni De Winter and Mattia Bani, along with forward Honest Ahanor, departed the club. Simultaneously, Genoa strengthened their squad by signing midfielder Nicolae Stanciu. Additionally, the club secured loan deals for defender Leo Östigård, midfielders Albert Grønbæk and Valentin Carboni, and forward Lorenzo Colombo.

Genoa Home Form Statistics

• The club remained undefeated in 9 of their last 13 home matches in Serie A (5 wins, 4 draws).
• The team scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 9 of their last 10 home league games.
• The Genovese side conceded no more than one goal in 6 of their last 9 home Serie A fixtures.

Genoa’s Probable Starting Lineup (4-5-1)

Nicola Leali – Brook Norton-Cuffy, Leo Östigård, Johan Vásquez, Aarón Martín Caricol – Valentin Carboni, Morten Frendrup, Nicolae Stanciu, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Albert Grønbæk – Lorenzo Colombo.

Lecce Team Overview

Lecce’s Historic Serie A Run and Recent Form

Lecce is set to embark on their fourth consecutive season in Serie A, a historic achievement for the club. Last season, Lecce narrowly avoided relegation thanks to victories in their final two matches, finishing in 17th place with 34 points. However, the team recorded the fewest goals scored in Serie A (27). Furthermore, they managed only 14 goals in away matches, also the lowest in the league. During the pre-season, Lecce played four friendly games, securing two wins (1 draw, 1 loss).

Lecce’s Transfer Activity and New Coach

In the current transfer window, defender Federico Baschirotto and forwards Ante Rebić and Nikola Krstović left the team. However, Lecce reinforced their squad with defender Krist-Owen Kouassi. The club also secured loan deals for forwards Riccardo Sottil and Francesco Camarda. Notably, Eusebio Di Francesco will manage the team in the new season.

Lecce Away Form Statistics

• The team failed to win in 6 of their last 7 away Serie A matches (3 draws, 3 losses).
• The club scored exactly one goal in five previous away league fixtures.
• Both teams scored in 7 of Lecce’s last 10 away Serie A matches.

Lecce’s Probable Starting Lineup (4-5-1)

Vladimiro Falcone – Antonino Gallo, Thiago Gabriel, Kialonda Gaspar, Krist-Owen Kouassi – Lassana Coulibaly, Balthazar Pierret, Thórir Helgason, Konan N’Dri, Tetê Morente – Francesco Camarda.

Player Suspensions

Forward Santiago Pierotti is unavailable due to suspension.

Match Referee

Davide Massa’s Profile

Davide Massa (Italy)

Matches officiated – 19 (Serie A, 2024/25);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 82;

Average yellow cards per match – 4.3;

Red cards shown – 5;

Average fouls per match – 26;

Penalties awarded – 11%.

Genoa vs. Lecce Match Prediction

Genoa’s Offensive Approach at Home

Genoa performs with mixed results on home turf, yet the team consistently prioritizes an aggressive attacking style. As a result, Genoa rarely fails to score: in their last ten home league matches, the club’s players were only once unable to breach the opposition’s defense. This solitary instance occurred in a game against Lazio, where the Genovese side played with ten men from midway through the first half. Concurrently, the team has conceded in 5 of their last 6 home fixtures.

Lecce’s Consistent Away Scoring

Lecce did not boast high scoring numbers last season, but the club consistently found the net in recent away matches: in their last five Serie A away games, the team never left the field without scoring. However, in 10 of their last 12 away league matches, Lecce failed to keep a clean sheet.

Head-to-Head Scoring Trend

It’s also worth noting that in the three previous head-to-head encounters at Genoa’s home ground in Serie A, both teams managed to score. My prediction is: “Both Teams to Score – Yes” with odds of 2.01