The Football Faithful
·6 January 2026
AS Roma XI vs Lecce – Predicted lineup and team news

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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·6 January 2026

The Giallorossi arrive on the back of a frustrating loss to Atalanta and aim to rebound while extending their strong record against Lecce, having gone unbeaten in nine prior clashes.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad started their 2026 schedule with a setback against Atalanta, despite controlling the ball.
Throughout the campaign, Roma have shown patchy performances. The capital club have lost four of their past six league outings, against Napoli, Juventus, Cagliari, and Atalanta, to drop down the table. They hold fifth place with 33 points from 18 games.
Roma approach Lecce amid a major backline predicament. Gasperini lacks his primary defensive trio, with Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso sidelined by suspensions picked up in Saturday’s Atalanta defeat, plus Ivory Coast defender Evan Ndicka unavailable due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
This shortage offers Gasperini few choices. Prospects like Jan Ziolkowski and Daniele Ghilardi – who has played just 30 league minutes this term – are the main backups. Zeki Çelik or Bryan Cristante are alternative options to be shifted into central defence, despite their lack of experience there.
Up top, Paulo Dybala persists in a slump, starting against Atalanta but producing no goal involvement since October 29.. Matias Soule carries a knee concern that restricted him to 66 minutes last out. Lorenzo Pellegrini stays out with hamstring trouble, joined on the sidelines by Leon Bailey and Tommaso Baldanzi.
Possible AS Roma starting XI: Svilar; Celik, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi; Rensch, Kone, Cristante, Wesley; Soule, Dybala; Ferguson.
The match will kick off at 5pm BST on Tuesday, 6th January.
Viewers in the UK can catch the live action on Premier Sports.









































