Empoli kick-started their season with a come-from-behind victory over Cagliari in midweek and will be very confident going into Sunday's match against Lecce.

Before Wednesday's 3-1 triumph, Empoli had suffered three successive defeats.

The three points lifted the club out of the relegation zone, although they are just one place above the bottom four.

Mario Somma, who is the Empoli coach, said: "We gave a great performance with a fantastic second half.

"This is a very important result for us because it boosts our morale and it allows us to work in tranquility."

Empoli midfielder Riccardo Bonetto believes the team will provide a significant challenge for Lecce, who have yet to win a match this campaign and are third from bottom with just a single point.

Empoli's biggest problem is their defence. Just four games into the season and they have conceded seven goals.

Bonetto said: "Now we have to remain with our feet on the ground. We won with our hearts and using our legs for 90 minutes.

"We are working very hard to prepare in the best possible way for the game against Lecce.

"They may not have had a good start to the season but we can not underestimate them."

Lecce fans are missing former coach Zdenek Zeman, who guided the club to an 11th place finish last term.

While Zeman's team was not known for playing strong defensive football, they were among the most attacking sides in Serie A.

Lecce have scored only two goals in four games this campaign while conceding eight.

Their poor start to the campaign may be down to coach Angelo Gregucci's lack of experience in the top flight, although he has had to deal with injuries which have robbed him of several key players including midfielder Guillermo Giacomazzi and attacking midfielder Babu.

Even worse for the visitors in Sunday's game at Empoli is that they travel to the Carlo Castellan stadium without Marco Delvecchio, the former Roma striker who will be serving the first of a three-match suspension.

Gregucci will be hoping his men can keep up the concentration for 90 minutes, something which has hindered his side as was evident in their 3-1 defeat to Fiorentina on Wednesday when they led 1-0 at half-time only to concede three goals in 31 minutes.

Empoli, who are known as the Azzurri, will be without striker Mirco Gasparetto and midfielder Paolo Zanetti due to injuries.