On Sunday, November 2, the Stadio Artemio Franchi hosts a crucial showdown between two struggling sides: Fiorentina and Lecce, sitting second-bottom and fifth-from-bottom respectively, separated by just two points. After nine rounds, the Viola are still looking for their first win of the season — with only four draws and five defeats, this marks the worst Serie A start in the club’s history. It’s a shocking drop-off for a team that finished sixth just a few months ago, earning a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Lecce, meanwhile, have fared only slightly better but are also going through a tough spell, coming off two straight defeats and winless for nearly a month. The Salentini know the relegation battle will likely last until the end of the season and are eager to take advantage of Fiorentina’s crisis to earn valuable points. For both sides, this match feels like a turning point: Fiorentina must win to reverse their disastrous run and potentially save Stefano Pioli’s job, while Lecce seek a positive result against what has unexpectedly become a direct rival for survival.

Fiorentina's recent form and key stats

After a 2-2 comeback draw against Bologna on October 26, Fiorentina followed it up with another setback — a heavy 3-0 defeat away to Inter. For Pioli, whose job is hanging by a thread, it was the fifth league loss of the season.

Excluding their Conference League fixtures (against far weaker opposition), the Viola have shown worrying defensive issues, conceding nine goals in their last four Serie A matches. The defeat to Inter not only halted their momentum but also ended a five-game streak in which Kean and his teammates had always found the net.

After nine Serie A rounds, Fiorentina’s situation is dire: just four points (four draws and five defeats), with seven goals scored and fifteen conceded. They also share the league’s worst defensive record (tied with Udinese), highlighting their ongoing lack of balance.

For this crucial match, Pioli will be without suspended defender Viti — sent off against Inter — and Gosens, injured on the left flank. Despite their upcoming Conference League match against Mainz, Pioli is expected to field his strongest lineup in a desperate bid for their first Serie A win of the season.

Lecce's recent form and key stats

Lecce come into this game seeking redemption after a 1-0 home defeat to Napoli on October 28, in which they missed a penalty through Camarda at 0-0. That loss followed a 3-2 defeat to Udinese on October 25.

Defensively, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side have begun to show cracks, conceding four goals in their last two matches after keeping clean sheets in their previous two against Parma and Sassuolo. Offensively, Lecce have also struggled, failing to score in two of their last three games.

The Giallorossi travel to Florence with six points — two more than their opponents — from one win, three draws, and five defeats, scoring seven goals and conceding fourteen. Their biggest issue remains the lack of firepower: Camarda and Stulic, the two strikers rotating up front, have combined for just one league goal so far.

For this crucial relegation clash, Di Francesco will again be without Sottil, out injured for several weeks and one of the few Lecce players capable of taking on defenders. Stulic is expected to start as the central striker, supported by Banda and Pierotti on the wings.

Fiorentina vs Lecce prediction by BetMines

For Fiorentina, this is a must-win match — anything less than three points would be a disaster and could cost Pioli his job.

For that reason, BetMines’ prediction gives the hosts a 55% chance of victory, compared to 20% for Lecce. The historical record also favors the Viola: last season, they won both meetings comfortably — 6-0 away and 1-0 at home.

Given both teams’ struggles, this is expected to be a tight and hard-fought contest with few goals. It wouldn’t be surprising if one of the two sides failed to score.

Therefore, BetMines recommends betting on Fiorentina to win, along with Under 2.5 goals and “Both teams to score – No” as the most probable outcomes.

Probable lineups Fiorentina vs Lecce

FIORENTINA (3-5-2): De Gea; Pongracic, Marì, Ranieri; Dodo, Mandragora, Nicolussi Caviglia, Ndour, Fortini; Kean, Gudmundsson. Coach: Pioli.

LECCE (4-3-3): Falcone; Veiga, Gaspar, Tiago Gabriel, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ramadani, Berisha; Pierotti, Stulic, Banda. Coach: Di Francesco.