Home » 2022-23 Italian Serie A week 18 preview: Lecce vs AC Milan

2022-23 Italian Serie A week 18 preview: Lecce vs AC Milan

AC Milan head south to Salento on 15 January to battle US Lecce in week 18 of the Italian Serie A.

They would like to return to their winning ways after losing to Torino at the Coppa Italia and drawing with Roma in league play. The latter result have them slipping to third due to an inferior tiebreaker with Juventus. This also meant that first-placed Napoli continue to surge ahead on the table.

Meanwhile, Lecce are coming off a scoreless draw with Spezia. They are at 11th place and are tied with Bologna and Empoli with 19 points.

Stats and Head-to-Head

Such is the burden of a top-level club. If this was any other squad, they would be content with this form at this point of the season (11W, 4D, 2L). However, a minor slip up could spell the difference between winning the domestic league and possibly losing a group stage slot in the next UEFA Champions League.

As for the Salentian side, they have a lighter schedule with no cup or continental commitments. However, they have not much to fight for as they are far behind even for UEFA Europa Conference League contention.

In their last six Serie A fixtures, Milan have the upper hand (four wins, two draws). All of those matches ended up with two or more goals scored.

Recent form (last five matches)

AC Milan
lost to Torino, 0-1
drew with Roma, 2-2
defeated Salernitana, 2-1
lost to PSV, 0-3
lost to Liverpool, 1-4 (won via penalties, 4-3)

Lecce
drew with Spezia, 0-0
defeated Lazio, 2-1
defeated Varaždin, 2-0
lost to Udinese, 0-2
defeated Sampdoria, 2-0

What to expect in AC Milan vs Lecce Serie A match

This one should be a breeze for Stefano Pioli’s crew. Besides, they can no longer afford to lose with rival Inter breathing down their necks.

Speaking of the Derby della Madonnina, the two are also set to face for the Supercoppa Italiana next midweek. A win against Lecce should be a good sendoff for red and black shirts.