Venezia are expected to line up in their usual 4-3-3, and we love that shape for this fixture. It gives them width, it gives them a double pivot in midfield to control the tempo, and it lets their wide forwards run at a Lecce back line that will be deep and narrow. The full-backs will push high, the wingers will stay wide to stretch the pitch, and the central striker will have space to drop off and link play. This is a side that wants to play through the lines, and against a Lecce side that will likely sit in a 4-4-2 low block, they'll have plenty of the ball.

Lecce, as expected, will set up in their usual 4-4-2, and they'll make no apologies for it. Two banks of four, narrow, compact, with the wide midfielders tucking in to deny Venezia space in the half-spaces. They'll look to hit on the counter through their two strikers, one dropping deep to receive, the other running in behind. It's a simple, effective plan — but it relies on discipline and concentration for 90 minutes. And that's where Venezia can hurt them. If the home side keep the ball moving quickly, switch the play, and get their full-backs overlapping, they'll force Lecce to shift side to side until the gaps appear. Set pieces will also be key — Venezia have that cup-fighting spirit, and they'll throw bodies forward at every corner.

The midfield battle is the whole game. Venezia's 4-3-3 gives them a numerical edge in the middle, and if their trio can dominate the second balls, Lecce will be chasing shadows. But Lecce are second-ball merchants themselves — they'll scrap for every loose ball, and if they can win those duels, they can frustrate the home crowd and sneak a goal on the break. It's a classic clash of styles: Venezia's controlled aggression against Lecce's organised resistance.