Lecce vs Bologna preview - Rispoli ban adds to Lecce problems

Lecce will continue their fight for Serie A survival when they host a Bologna team that has punched above its weight all season.

The Giallorossi lost 2-1 to Roma in the last round to drop to 18th place, level on 28 points with Cesena, who hold the last position of safety.

The task for Lecce coach Luigi De Canio is further complicated by a series of selection problems ahead of Sunday's match at the Via del Mare stadium.

Strikers Edward Ofere and the team's top scorer David Di Michele are still unavailable through injury. They have joined injured defenders Stefano Ferrario and Alberto Giuliatto on the sidelines.

Moreover, defender Andrea Rispoli is suspended in another blow for De Canio, who guided Lecce to promotion last summer.

Bologna, meanwhile, climbed to 11th after last weekend's 2-2 draw against Cagliari.

The Rossoblu are just four points away from reaching the 40-point mark, a figure deemed sufficient to avoid the drop.

"We want to get there as soon as possible," said Bologna defender Daniele Portanova. "That would allow us to play with calmness in our remaining games.

"But this does not mean that once we get there we will give up. This team will fight until the last game of the campaign."

Bologna were docked three points earlier this season for failing to make tax payments.

The club changed hands midway through the campaign but it did not hinder the team, who have lost just three games this year.

"There is a very strong unity and we feel the support of the city," said Portanova. "This helps a lot. We have no fear of playing and we have improved a lot.

"We hope we can continue until the end to end the campaign on a high note."