Lecce vs Cagliari Prediction, Preview, news, Odds: 19/8/2025

The Stadio Via del Mare will host a tense Serie A clash on September 19, as Lecce search for their first victory of the campaign against a Cagliari side beginning to find momentum. With both clubs eyeing stability in the top flight, this matchup could play an important role in shaping the early-season narrative.

Lecce’s Struggles and Desperate Search for Form

Eusebio Di Francesco’s Lecce have endured a difficult start, sitting winless after three rounds. Their 4-1 defeat to Atalanta was particularly bruising, exposing defensive weaknesses and a lack of cutting edge in front of goal. Despite lively moments from Riccardo Sottil and Nikola Stulic, the Salentini have managed just a single goal so far.

Injuries have compounded their problems. Midfielders Mohamed Kaba and Balthazar Pierret remain sidelined, robbing the team of stability in the center of the pitch. At the back, errors from Jamil Siebert and Kialonda Gaspar have left Lecce vulnerable, with lapses in concentration often punished by opponents. Still, the home crowd could provide an emotional lift, and Di Francesco will be counting on that support to inspire his team.

Cagliari Finding Their Feet

In contrast, Fabio Pisacane’s Cagliari travel to Lecce buoyed by their first win of the season — a confident 2-0 triumph over Parma. Goals from Yerry Mina and Mattia Felici showcased their growing attacking cohesion, while debutant Andrea Belotti added leadership and physical presence up front. The experienced striker’s ability to hold up play has already given the Sardinians more structure in attack.

Even with key absentees like Zito Luvumbo and Leonardo Pavoletti, Cagliari have shown greater resilience. The midfield pairing of Michel Adopo and Sebastiano Esposito has injected creativity, while goalkeeper Elia Caprile continues to impress with his shot-stopping ability, often keeping his team competitive under pressure. Defensively, they’ve tightened up, particularly in transition, which has been a weakness in previous seasons.

Tactical Outlook

Di Francesco is expected to stick with his 4-3-3 formation, leaning on the midfield trio of Hamza Coulibaly, Ylber Ramadani, and Marco Sala to control possession and feed the front line. One potential game-changer is Konan N’Dri, whose thunderous strike against Atalanta highlighted his ability to create something out of nothing.

Cagliari, meanwhile, will likely maintain their 4-3-1-2 system, prioritizing compactness and quick counter-attacks. Michael Folorunsho and Matteo Prati will be central to breaking up Lecce’s rhythm, while Mina’s commanding presence at the back could nullify aerial threats. Up front, Belotti and Esposito will look to exploit gaps in Lecce’s shaky defense.

Prediction: Fine Margins to Decide the Contest

This fixture promises intensity, fueled by Lecce’s desperation to finally claim three points and Cagliari’s desire to build on their newfound confidence. The atmosphere at the Via del Mare could play a crucial role, with the home supporters pushing their side to raise their game.

That said, Cagliari’s sharper edge in front of goal and their more balanced midfield suggest they are capable of grinding out a result. A tight contest seems inevitable, but Lecce’s home strength cannot be overlooked.

Nine wins from their last 11 home fixtures in Serie A show that Lecce are formidable at the Via del Mare, and despite their poor start, they may just edge this battle with a narrow victory.

Prediction: Lecce 1 – 0 Cagliari