Serie A preview: Udinese host Lecce looking to turn season around

match details and context

On Sunday, 18 October 2026, Udinese will welcome Lecce to the Stadio Friuli in Udine for a Serie A clash kicking off at 10:30 UTC. Both sides are struggling near the lower end of the table and will be eager to secure crucial points in this early season fixture.

standings and recent form

Udinese currently sit 15th in the Serie A standings with four points from six matches, having won one, drawn one and lost four. They have scored nine goals but conceded 13, leaving them with a negative goal difference of minus four. Recent form has been poor, with no wins in their last five games, including four losses and one draw. Their latest match was a 2-1 defeat away to Torino on 12 October.

Lecce occupy 13th place, two points and two positions above Udinese, with six points from six games. They have recorded two wins and four losses, scoring six goals but conceding 12, resulting in a minus six goal difference. Lecce’s recent form shows one win and four losses in five matches, most recently losing 2-1 at home to Bologna on 11 October. Both teams have struggled to find consistency, particularly in defence.

head-to-head record

These two teams met once earlier this year in Serie A, on 8 February 2026, when Lecce won 2-1 at home. That game produced three goals, indicating some attacking threat from both sides. With no draws in their head-to-head meetings, this fixture could again produce a decisive result as both teams look to climb the table.

what to expect

Given their recent form and standings, both Udinese and Lecce may approach this match with caution but also a clear desire to break their run of poor results. Udinese have found the net more frequently this season but have struggled to keep clean sheets, conceding over two goals per game in their last five matches. Lecce have also conceded heavily and scored less regularly, but they do have the edge in recent direct encounters. This game could be tightly contested, with the home side eager to use home advantage to halt their slump, while Lecce will aim to repeat their previous victory over Udinese.

Fans in the United States can watch the match live on Paramount+.

Where the teams stand

Recent form

Head-to-head