Preview: Lecce vs Inter Milan – prediction, team news, lineups

Following a major setback to their European goals, Inter Milan should return to Serie A obligation on Saturday, after they go to Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare.

Inter had been humbled by Bodo/Glimt in midweek, however they’re nonetheless Scudetto favourites after posting six straight wins in Italy’s prime flight.

Match preview

Venturing north of the Arctic Circle, Inter took on sub-zero situations, a plastic pitch and proficient opponents after they visited Bodo on Wednesday night, for the primary leg of their Champions League playoff.

Having just lately reached the ultimate twice in three seasons – whereas Bodo/Glimt are knockout stage debutants – the Nerazzurri began the tie as favourites, however a 3-1 defeat now leaves them susceptible to lacking out on the final 16.

Away from dwelling, that they had beforehand put collectively a seven-match profitable streak throughout all competitions, whereas conceding only one aim; but the infamous Aspmyra Stadion claimed one other sufferer.

Meanwhile, again in Lombardy, metropolis rivals AC Milan had been being held to a 1-1 draw by Como, so it was not a wholly dismal evening: Inter sit seven factors away from second-positioned Milan in Serie A and are effectively set to reclaim the Italian title.

The most up-to-date – and absolutely the sweetest – of six consecutive league victories got here in final week’s Derby d’Italia, the place outdated foes Juventus had been controversially decreased to 10 males earlier than Cristian Chivu’s aspect prevailed.

After stealing a 3-2 triumph with Piotr Zielinski’s ninetieth-minute winner, Inter have now received 12 of their final 13 prime-flight fixtures – plus eight straight on the highway.

So, following a 1-0 dwelling victory over Lecce final month, they may count on to do the double this weekend.

© Iconsport / LaPresse

Winless in 9 league conferences with Inter, Lecce have gone 222 minutes with out even scoring towards them on the Via del Mare – a drought that dates again nearly 4 years.

Goals have additionally proved an issue for the Salentini this season; but, abruptly producing 4 of their final two matches has helped maintain Eusebio Di Francesco’s team out of the drop zone.

They occupy seventeenth spot on 24 factors – three above the relegation locations – following an important victory in Cagliari on Monday night.

One week after Lameck Banda’s late aim lastly produced their first success of 2026, Lecce posted again-to-again league wins for the primary time this time period.

Midfielders Ylber Ramadani and Omri Gandelman each scored within the second half, because the Giallorossi left Sardinia with three treasured factors and moved away from 18th-positioned Fiorentina.

With a modest report of three wins from 13 at dwelling, few would give Lecce a lot hope of extending that run towards Inter – however their guests might have one eye on different issues.

Lecce Serie A kind:

L L D L W W

Inter Milan Serie A kind:

W W W W W W

Inter Milan kind (all competitions):

W W W W W L

Team News

© Imago / Insidefoto

Chivu should think about whether or not to relaxation key males forward of Bodo/Glimt’s upcoming go to to San Siro, having made some sudden rotations on Wednesday.

He will definitely make a change up entrance, as Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has suffered a calf pressure, so both Marcus Thuram or Ange-Yoan Bonny may begin alongside Francesco Pio Esposito, who scored the Nerazzurri’s lone aim in Norway.

In addition to their 14-aim prime scorer, the guests will likely be with out injured wing-again Denzel Dumfries and suspended midfielders Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu.

With the latter pair absent, Zielinski will certainly begin, searching for his fiftieth Serie A aim – that will take him degree with Arkadiusz Milik as Poland’s all-time prime scorer within the Italian prime flight.

Now again from suspension, Banda is Lecce’s main marksman with three league strikes this season; January signing Gandelman is already simply behind him, having discovered the online in again-to-again matches.

Misfiring strikers Walid Cheddira and Nikola Stulic will once more vie for choice up entrance, whereas Milan loanee Francesco Camarda joins midfielder Medon Berisha on the sidelines.

Lecce potential beginning lineup:

Falcone; Veiga, Gabriel, Gaspar, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ramadani; Pierotti, Gandelman, Banda; Cheddira

Inter Milan potential beginning lineup:

Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Henrique, Frattesi, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito

We say: Lecce 0-2 Inter Milan

Although scarred by occasions in midweek, Inter will certainly resume regular service in Serie A.

After having fun with uncommon again-to-again wins, Lecce’s luck might run out when the league leaders come to city.

For information evaluation of the more than likely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.