David Alaba makes first Udinese start as Lecce make four changes

David Alaba starts for Udinese for the first time, with Keinan Davis also brought into the XI for the Serie A meeting with Lecce. The two changes give Udinese a new centre-back option and a fresh focal point in attack as they try to respond to a defeat in their previous league match.

Alaba joins Oumar Solet and Enzo Ebosse in a back three. Udinese set up in a 3-4-2-1, with Jürgen Ekkelenkamp and Giorgi Chakvetadze behind Davis. James Abankwah and Unai Gómez drop out of the starting side after the previous league game against Torino.

Lecce make four changes following their defeat to Bologna. Kialonda Gaspar, Oumar Ngom, Konan N’Dri and Willem Geubbels come into the XI, while Ivan Ilić, Jamil Siebert, Paco Esteban and Santiago Pierotti drop out. Geubbels leads a 4-3-3, flanked by N’Dri and Amar Fatah.

Udinese’s starting side is Maduka Okoye in goal; Solet, Alaba and Ebosse in defence; Mërgim Vojvoda, Jesper Karlström, Oier Zarraga and Hassane Kamara across midfield; Ekkelenkamp and Chakvetadze behind Davis. Lecce start with Wladimiro Falcone; Danilo Veiga, Gaspar, Tiago Gabriel and Antonino Gallo; Lassana Coulibaly, Ngom and Youssef Maleh; N’Dri, Geubbels and Fatah.

Udinese sit 15th with four points from six games, two behind 13th-placed Lecce, who have six. Both teams arrive after defeats, giving the home side a chance to improve their position against a direct rival in the table. Udinese are without I. Gueye, N. Zaniolo and V. Bayo through injury; Lecce are without Ilić and M. Berisha.

Kick-off is at 12:30 CEST in Udine. Alaba’s first start and Davis’s return to the XI headline Udinese’s response, while Lecce’s four changes bring a reshaped attack and midfield into the contest.