Lecce vs Cagliari Prediction for 20 September 2025 - Football

📢 What can we expect from the clash between Lecce and Cagliari, kicking off the fourth round of Serie A? The match will take place at the Via del Mare Stadium on Friday and is set to set the tone for the entire round. The hosts, after a sluggish start, are in desperate need of points to avoid becoming the main underdogs of the league at this early stage. Cagliari, on the other hand, have started the season brightly and will look to cement their spot in the upper part of the table, adding extra intrigue to this encounter.

Head-to-Head

📊 The head-to-head record between Lecce and Cagliari over the past decade is quite balanced: out of 6 matches, each team has claimed one victory, while the remaining 4 encounters ended in draws. Last season, the rivals traded home triumphs—first, the Salentini secured a 1-0 win, then the Islanders responded with a commanding 4-1 victory on their home turf.

Lecce Team Overview

🟡 Last season was a real test for Lecce as they teetered on the edge of relegation until the very end. Crucial victories over Torino (1-0) and Lazio (1-0) helped them secure the 17th spot and retain their place in Serie A. In the new season, the objectives for the "Salentini" remain unchanged—once again, the club will be fighting for survival.

❌ However, the start to the campaign has been decidedly poor. After three rounds, Lecce sit at the bottom of the table with just one point. Last weekend, they played a supporting role against an inconsistent Atalanta (1-4), and at one point, they trailed by an uncomfortable 0-4. Only a precise strike from midfielder Konan N'Dri spared them a complete rout.

Cagliari Calcio Team Overview

🔴 Last season was challenging for Cagliari as they battled for survival until the very end, finishing in 15th place with 36 points. They were just two points clear of Lecce, highlighting how intense the relegation battle was.

✅ In the new campaign, the "Islanders" have had a much more confident start. After three rounds, they sit in the upper half of the table with four points. Notably, they secured a home victory against Parma (2-0) on September 13. Even against more prestigious opponents, the team put up a commendable fight: against Napoli (0-1), Cagliari posed a serious challenge, and they managed to earn a point against Fiorentina (1-1).

Latest news

Lecce

📣 After the match against Atalanta (1-4), Lecce's coach Eusebio Di Francesco acknowledged that the team did not perform at their best: "We conceded from the opponent's first attack. In the first half, there were moments where we handled the ball well, but we lacked sharpness in the final 15-20 meters... In the second half, we really dropped off, and this should serve as a lesson for us. Defeats happen, but it's important to play until the end and maintain our level against any opponent." Di Francesco also emphasized that the team must remain united even after losses: "We need to continue growing and not let one result break us. We need more precision because it was the opponent's quick attacks that proved fatal for us."

🚫 Lecce are facing significant squad issues. Balthazar Pierre is dealing with a gastrointestinal problem and might miss the upcoming match. More serious losses concern Filip Marchinski and Gabi Jean, both of whom suffered cruciate ligament injuries: Jean is expected back only by early October, while Marchinski will return by mid-next month.

Cagliari Calcio

📣 Fabio Pisacane, the coach of Cagliari, couldn't hide his joy following their crucial 2-0 victory over Parma: "I'm very happy. I must thank the guys; everyone in this team sacrifices for the result. We understood that we couldn't afford to slip up in this match." However, he also pointed out some mistakes: "We gifted the opponent two chances, and I didn't like that. If we didn't concede, it's only thanks to Elia Caprile, who saved us."

🚫 Cagliari are also dealing with minor squad issues. Backup goalkeeper Boris Radunovic is doubtful due to a shin injury. Additionally, the club have lost Zito Luvumbo to a muscle injury, with his return expected only by late September.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

⚽️ Goal Prediction

Both Lecce and Cagliari have shown a similar style in recent years: these teams prefer to play defensively, often opting for a counter-attacking approach rather than an open game. It's no surprise that Lecce have seen under 2.5 total goals in 8 of their last 9 official matches, while Cagliari are on a similar streak with 5 consecutive games. This cautious approach often leads to low-scoring encounters, and their head-to-head clash is likely to follow the same pattern with few goals expected.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Recent matches involving Lecce have seldom been corner-heavy: in 6 of their last 7 Serie A games, the total corner count has stayed below 11. This is largely due to the Salentians' style of play—favoring a cautious game without excessive pressure on the opponent's goal, and their opponents also struggle to create numerous chances. Consequently, matches with Lecce often unfold at a measured pace, resulting in modest corner statistics. Therefore, we're betting on under 10.5 total corners.