Preview:Lecce vs. AC Milan - predictions, team news, lineups

Lecce will resume their Serie A campaign on Monday evening when they welcome European hopefuls AC Milan to the Stadio Via Del Mare.

Milan are taking part in their second match back since the coronavirus-enforced postponement - and they will be looking to recover from their semi-final exit from the Coppa Italia at the hands of Juventus.

Match preview

Italy has been one of the hardest-hit countries during the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, but Serie A prepares to make its return this weekend to the delight of football fans across the globe.

Lecce enjoyed back-to-back promotions in the last two seasons to reach the pinnacle of Italian football, but I Giallorossi are at risk of a swift return to the second tier at this stage of the campaign.

Fabio Liverani's side conceded a whopping 11 goals in their two most recent Serie A fixtures - with a 4-0 loss at Roma followed up by a 7-2 thrashing at the hands of Atalanta.

Those results do not tell the full story of Lecce's form before the shutdown, however, as Liverani's men enjoyed three victories on the bounce against Torino, Napoli and SPAL in February.

As it stands, Lecce lie 18th in the table on 25 points - level with 17th-placed Genoa but behind on goal difference.

Lecce possess the unfortunate record of the most goals conceded in the league thus far (56), although the 34 goals they have netted at the correct end of the pitch ranks them as the highest scorers in the bottom eight teams.

© Reuters

Milan held current Serie A champions Juventus to a goalless stalemate in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi final, but Juve's away goal from the first leg meant that Milan's quest for a first cup triumph since 2003 will go on a little while longer.

Stefano Pioli's men must recover from that disappointment as they look to further their push for a top-six finish in the league, with Milan currently three points adrift of Napoli, who occupy the final Europa League spot.

I Rossoneri endured a poor run of form heading into the shutdown, though, with the draw against Juve earlier in the month meaning that they have only picked up one win in their last seven across all competitions.

Furthermore, Milan have only chalked up 28 league goals all season - six fewer than their relegation-threatened opponents this weekend - so Pioli's men desperately need to find their shooting boots if they are to mount a serious charge for a European spot.

Milan's most recent away fixture was a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina - the first time they have shared the spoils on the road this season - and they succumbed to an injury-time equaliser from Marco Calderoni as Leece rescued a point against I Rossoneri when the sides played out a 2-2 draw in October.

Leece Serie A form: LWWWLL

Milan Serie A form: WDLWDL Milan form (all competitions): LDWDLD

Team News

© Reuters

Lecce will have to make do without the services of right-back Giulio Donati, who is serving a suspension following an explicit outburst in the defeat to Atalanta.

Diego Farias, Filippo Falco and Khouma Babacar are all set to miss out through injury for Liverani's side, and Gabriel is battling Mauro Vigorito for a spot in goal.

Theo Hernandez and Sami Castillejo were both suspended for the Coppa Italia semi-final clash with Juventus, but both players are expected to return to the starting lineup for Monday's fixture.

Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still injured for Milan, however, and the 38-year-old will join Leo Duarte and Rade Krunic on the sidelines.

Ibrahimovic's absence opens up a spot for Rafael Leao to start up top with Ante Rebic occupying the left flank for Pioli's side. Lecce possible starting lineup: Gabriel; Rispoli, Rossettini, Lucioni, Calderoni; Majer, Deiola, Barak; Mancosu, Saponara; Lapadula

AC Milan possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Conti, Romagnoli, Kjaer, Hernandez; Kessie, Bennacer; Castillejo, Calhanoglu, Rebic; Leao

© Sports Mole / SM

We say: Lecce 0-2 AC Milan

Milan fought valiantly against Juventus and will be determined to get back to winning ways following their Coppa Italia disappointment. Lecce were conceding goals at will before play was brought to a halt, and we are backing Milan's superior quality to pave the way for a comfortable victory for Pioli's side.