Serie A Preview: Palermo – Lecce

Kick-off: Sunday, 15 March 2009, 15:00 CET. Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo.

Erratic Palermo

Palermo have been fairly inconsistent this season. Just look at their past five matches - two wins, two losses and a draw. But despite their lack of continuity, the Rosanero remain within reach of a UEFA Cup qualifying spot, just two points behind seventh-placed Lazio.

Perhaps, the most humiliating point of their season came two weeks ago, when they lost 4-0 at home to Catania in the Sicilian derby. However, they followed that up with an impressive win away to Fiorentina, further highlighting their unpredictability.

With Lecce being second from the bottom in Serie A, coach Davide Ballardini and his squad will be confident of a win, including midfielder Giovanni Tedesco, who claimed a win is necessary at the Stadio Renzo Barbera on Sunday to help the fans forget about it the humiliation at the hands of their Sicilian neighbours a fortnight ago.

With Mark Bresciano back in the squad following his suspension, Ballardini will likely attack Lecce right from the start with the talented offensive unit of Fabrizio Miccoli and Edinson Cavani being flanked by the returning Australian and Fabio Simplicio.

New Coach And New Hope

After yet another disappointing result, drawing at home against Serie A basement-dwellers Reggina, the Lecce management opted to sack Mario Beretta and bring in Luigi De Canio in a last-ditch attempt to save their season.

With the campaign winding down, relegation is becoming more and more likely for the Salentini and De Canio will hopefully turn things around. The 51-year-old has had mixed results during his coaching career, but it would be a gold star on his resume if he could maintain Serie A status for the club in 2009.

Currently, Lecce are just one point away from safety. So surely, it is not an impossible task. What is worrying is the type of football the Giallorossi have been playing, notching no goals in their past five matches.

De Canio’s first test is a difficult one away to Palermo, a team is capable of playing great football in front of their own fans. Overall, one would expect that any point earned in Sicily would be considered a bonus.

FORM GUIDE

Palermo

8 March (Serie A): Fiorentina 0-2 Palermo

1 March (Serie A): Palermo 0-4 Catania
21 February (Serie A): Palermo 0-2 Juventus
15 February (Serie A): Reggina 0-0 Palermo
8 February (Serie A): Palermo 2-1 Napoli

Lecce

8 March (Serie A): Lecce 0-0 Reggina

1 March (Serie A): Udinese 2-0 Lecce
22 February (Serie A): Lecce 0-2 Lazio
15 February (Serie A): Cagliari 2-0 Lecce
7 February (Serie A): Lecce 0-3 Inter

TEAM NEWS

Palermo

Central defender Moris Carrozzieri sits out a ban and will be replaced by highly touted youngster Simon Kjaer in central defence. Igor Budan, who practically lives in the treatment room now, remains sidelined along with midfielder Roberto Guana.

Probable Starting XI: Amelia – Cassani, Kjaer, Bovo, Balzaretti – Bresciano, Liverani, Nocerino, Simplicio – Miccoli, Cavani

Lecce

The new coach must do without Luca Ariatti, who continues to serve his three-match ban after stamping on an opposition player in the loss to Udinese. Meanwhile, striker Axel Konan and Daniele Cacia are out through injury.

Probable Starting XI: Benussi  – Poleghni, Fabiano, Stendardo, Angelo – Munari, Edinho, Caserta, Giuliatto – Castillo, Tiribocchi

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Palermo

Striker Fabrizio Miccoli was born in the province of Lecce and has constantly voiced his desire to one day join the club. He scored a fantastic goal last week and certainly has the ability to hurt the Serie A minnows, even if he won’t particularly enjoy doing it.

Lecce

The southern Italian club have been leaking goals, but they will hope the return of Guglielmo Stendardo will help them keep Palermo at bay. The on-loan centre-back is only 27 but has vast experience, having played for Sampdoria, Juventus and Lazio during his career.

PREDICTION

Palermo tend to obtain good results at home and simply have more quality in their side than the Giallorossi. Perhaps, with time running out in the season, Lecce will put up a good fight, but in the end the Sicilians should prove too strong.

Palermo 3-1 Lecce

Adam Scime, Goal.com