Lecce vs AS Roma Predicted Lineups and Team News – Serie A

Lecce welcome AS Roma to Stadio Via del Mare in the second round of the 2026 Serie A season, with both sides looking to build on perfect starts. Lecce sit 5th with 3 points after an impressive 2–0 away win on the opening day, while Roma are 2nd, also on 3 points, thanks to a dominant 4–0 home victory. With early-season momentum at stake and European qualification ambitions already in view, this clash promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the round.

Standings underline how finely poised this matchup is at this early stage. Lecce boast a +2 goal difference after scoring twice and keeping a clean sheet away from home. Roma’s attacking power has been even more striking, with 4 goals scored and none conceded, giving them a goal difference of +4. Head-to-head history, however, has been heavily tilted in Roma’s favour over recent years. Against that backdrop, the focus turns to the predicted lineups and how each manager might set up to exploit their strengths.

With no official team sheets available yet, the expected starting lineup for both sides is built from current squads, absences and early-season form. Stats suggest Roma arrive as favourites, but Lecce’s strong opening performance and home advantage mean the predicted lineups could play a decisive role in how this Serie A encounter unfolds.

Lecce Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Lecce come into this fixture in good spirits after their opening-round win, but they do have some notable issues in wide areas. L. Banda is listed as a missing fixture due to being inactive, while A. Gallo is questionable with an injury. Both are part of the first-team group and their potential absence reduces options, particularly at left-back and on the flank. Overall form is excellent, with a single league match producing a win, 2 goals scored and none conceded, reflected in a league form string of “W”.

Given that Lecce lined up in an attacking-minded shape in their first game and were rewarded with two goals and a clean sheet, a similar approach is expected here, albeit with more caution against stronger opposition. The manager is likely to rely on the core that delivered in round one, while integrating key performers highlighted by early-season stats such as Olaf Gorter and L. Coulibaly. The expected structure should remain compact out of possession, with quick transitions through midfield and pace in the front line.

Lecce Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: W. Falcone
DF: Kialonda Gaspar, C. Ndaba, J. Siebert, Danilo Veiga
MF: L. Coulibaly, Olaf Gorter, S. Fofana
FW: K. N’Dri, N. Štulić, W. Geubbels

This predicted lineup leans on the players who have already made an attacking impact in Serie A 2026. Olaf Gorter, who has scored once from midfield and posted a solid rating, is expected to operate as a key link between defence and attack, supporting both phases with his ability to arrive late in the box and contribute defensively with blocks and duels. Alongside him, L. Coulibaly, who already has an assist, offers drive and balance in the middle of the pitch, combining ball-winning with forward runs and progressive passing.

At the back, the inclusion of Kialonda Gaspar, C. Ndaba, J. Siebert and Danilo Veiga provides a mix of physical presence and mobility. Tiago Gabriel, another early-season standout with a goal from defence, is a strong candidate to feature heavily; here he is kept as an impact option off the bench to mirror his previous role, but his aerial threat on set pieces could be decisive. Up front, K. N’Dri and W. Geubbels bring pace and verticality, while N. Štulić offers a focal point to occupy Roma’s centre-backs, giving Lecce a clear outlet for counters and crosses.

AS Roma Team News & Expected Lineups Today

AS Roma travel to Lecce with confidence after a 4–0 home win to start their Serie A campaign. They sit 2nd in the table with 3 points and a +4 goal difference, having combined explosive attacking output with a clean sheet. However, there are some important absences to manage. In midfield, M. Bah is ruled out with a knee injury, while captain and creative hub L. Pellegrini misses out due to a thigh injury. Both are listed as missing fixtures and will not be available for selection, forcing adjustments in the central areas.

Even with those setbacks, Roma’s squad depth in attacking and creative roles remains impressive. P. Dybala leads the league’s assist chart with three in a single appearance, and D. Malen is among the top scorers with a hat-trick already. The team’s last-five profile shows 100% form, 4 goals scored and none conceded, underpinned by an attacking index that significantly outstrips Lecce’s. For lineups today, the expectation is that Roma will again adopt an attacking-minded shape similar to their previous match, with a flexible back line and plenty of support around the central striker.

AS Roma Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Svilar
DF: Hermoso, G. Mancini, E. Ndicka, N. Molina
MF: B. Cristante, N. Pisilli, N. El Aynaoui
FW: P. Dybala, D. Malen, M. Soulé

Roma’s predicted starting lineup is built around their early-season stars. In attack, D. Malen is the obvious focal point after scoring 3 goals from 4 shots, with a perfect record of 3 on target. His movement across the front line, ability to run in behind and clinical finishing make him the primary goal threat. Operating around him, P. Dybala’s creative output has been outstanding: 3 assists, 4 key passes and high involvement in build-up suggest he will again drift between the lines, linking midfield and attack and exploiting any gaps between Lecce’s defence and midfield.

Behind them, N. Pisilli offers energy and late runs from midfield, having already contributed a goal and strong passing numbers from the bench. B. Cristante provides structure and screening in front of the back line, while N. El Aynaoui can add extra control and ball progression. Defensively, Hermoso stands out as both a ball-playing defender and a physical presence, already featuring in both the yellow and red card disciplinary lists, underlining his aggressive style. Alongside him, G. Mancini and E. Ndicka bring aerial strength and defensive solidity, with N. Molina expected to provide width and overlapping runs on the flank. M. Svilar should continue in goal after a clean sheet, benefiting from the protection of a compact but proactive defensive unit.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

Absences on both sides could subtly reshape the match dynamic. Lecce’s issues are mainly on the left side, potentially limiting their width and forcing tactical tweaks, while Roma’s missing midfielders affect their rotation options and leadership in the centre of the pitch. However, neither team is facing a full-blown injury crisis, and both still have enough depth to field competitive lineups today.

Lecce Absences:

• L. Banda — Inactive (Missing Fixture)
• A. Gallo — Injury (Questionable)
• L. Banda — Inactive (Missing Fixture)
• A. Gallo — Injury (Questionable)

AS Roma Absences:

• M. Bah — Knee Injury (Missing Fixture)
• L. Pellegrini — Thigh Injury (Missing Fixture)
• M. Bah — Knee Injury (Missing Fixture)
• L. Pellegrini — Thigh Injury (Missing Fixture)

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

On paper, this looks like a clash between Lecce’s organised, transitional approach and Roma’s high-powered attack. Lecce’s predicted back four, supported by a hard-working midfield trio of L. Coulibaly, Olaf Gorter and S. Fofana, will likely sit in a compact block, aiming to deny central spaces to P. Dybala and D. Malen. Coulibaly’s ability to win duels and intercept passes will be crucial in breaking up Roma’s combinations, while Gorter’s positioning and blocking instincts can help protect the central channels. The full-backs, Kialonda Gaspar and Danilo Veiga, must balance the need to close down Roma’s wide attackers with providing outlets on the break.

For Roma, the predicted lineup is built to dominate territory and possession. With Dybala and M. Soulé drifting in from advanced positions, and N. Molina pushing high from full-back, Roma can overload the half-spaces and wide zones, pulling Lecce’s back line out of shape. Malen’s movement between centre-backs, combined with Pisilli’s late runs from midfield, poses a constant threat to a Lecce defence that has so far been solid but largely untested against elite attacking talent. The battle between Hermoso and the Roma back line’s distribution, and Lecce’s front three of K. N’Dri, N. Štulić and W. Geubbels pressing and countering, will go a long way to deciding whether the visitors can sustain pressure or get caught by quick transitions.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Analysis points to AS Roma as the likelier winners, but not by a huge margin. The prediction model gives Lecce around a 10% chance of victory, with both the draw and an away win rated at 45%. That balance reflects Roma’s superior squad depth and attacking indices, as well as a dominant head-to-head record, but also acknowledges Lecce’s strong opening performance and home advantage. Comparison indices further underline Roma’s edge in attack and overall strength, while form is evenly matched at this early stage.

Pre-match odds from major bookmakers imply a strong but not overwhelming lean towards Roma. Away prices between 1.47 and 1.59 translate to an implied win probability of roughly 63–68%, while home odds between 5.90 and 7.10 suggest only about a 14–17% chance for Lecce. Draw prices in the 3.61–4.14 range imply around 24–28%. Combining these market signals with the predicted lineups, Roma’s firepower through D. Malen and P. Dybala, and Lecce’s likely emphasis on defensive solidity, a tight away win with a low-to-moderate scoreline is the most plausible scenario.

Predicted Outcome: Lecce 1–2 AS Roma

How to Watch Lecce vs AS Roma Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local pay-TV sports channel / major streaming platform
• UK: National sports broadcaster or leading OTT football service
• USA / North America: Subscription-based soccer network or streaming app
• South America: Regional sports network with Serie A rights
• MENA: Pan-regional satellite sports broadcaster or official streaming partner