Here are our Serie A picks for Wednesday 16 September 2026. Our model likes 6 bets here. The one it likes most is Lecce +2 Goal Handicap, priced at -175 when we wrote this. Here is the thinking behind each pick, in plain English.
Odds available at DraftKings at time of publishing
As we gear up for this Serie A clash, Lecce looks poised to give AC Milan a run for their money. Despite Milan's historical dominance, their recent home form is shaky, with only two wins in their last five at San Siro. They’ve averaged just 1 goal per game at home, while Lecce has been surprisingly resilient on the road, scoring 1.4 goals away and limiting their opponents to a mere 0.8. When you consider Lecce’s solid away performance and Milan’s struggle to find the net consistently, the handicap of -2 in favor of Lecce seems very reasonable. Milan may have a psychological edge, but Lecce’s current form suggests they can at least keep this competitive. With Lecce's recent xG and scoring trends, they are capable of surprising the Rossoneri. Betting on Lecce with a cushion of two goals is a savvy play in this matchup!
AC Milan vs Lecce: Lecce +1.75 Goal Handicap (-125)
Odds available at DraftKings at time of publishing
As AC Milan prepares to host Lecce, the recent form tells a compelling story. Milan’s home record has been shaky, with just two wins in their last five matches, and they’ve allowed an average of 1.6 goals per game at home. Lecce, on the other hand, is enjoying a solid away streak, boasting three wins in their last five outings and showing the ability to score while limiting opponents to just 0.8 goals on the road. The xG stats are particularly striking; Lecce has been competitive without hitting their peak, and their attacking play suggests they could capitalize on a Milan side that’s been less consistent defensively. Given Lecce’s resilience and Milan’s current struggles, backing Lecce with a 1.75 handicap feels like a sensible play. With a model edge favoring this outcome and the historical head-to-head record heavily skewed towards Milan, this game has all the makings for an upset.
AC Milan vs Lecce: Lecce +1.25 Goal Handicap (+135)
Odds available at DraftKings at time of publishing
As AC Milan prepares to host Lecce, the dynamics of the match reveal intriguing betting opportunities. While Milan boasts a strong historical record against Lecce, their recent form has been less than stellar, especially at home with just two wins in the last five matches. The Rossoneri have struggled to find the back of the net consistently, averaging only 1 goal per game at home and allowing 1.6, which raises concerns about their defensive solidity. On the flip side, Lecce is riding a wave of confidence, having secured three wins in their last five outings. Their away performance has shown promise, averaging 1.4 goals while conceding just 0.8. With a well-structured attack and solid defensive displays, Lecce is well-positioned to exploit Milan's vulnerabilities. Taking Lecce with a 1.25 handicap not only feels prudent but also capitalizes on their recent upward trend against a faltering Milan side.
New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls: Under 3.5 Total Goals (-145)
Odds available at DraftKings at time of publishing
In this exciting clash between New York City FC and New York Red Bulls, the recent form of both teams suggests a low-scoring affair. NYCFC has averaged just 1 goal per game over their last five outings, while their defense has been tight, conceding only 0.8 goals on average. Meanwhile, the Red Bulls are struggling to find the net, with a dismal average of 0.6 goals in their last five matches. Diving deeper, both sides have recorded remarkably low expected goals (xG) figures recently. NYCFC's attacking woes are highlighted by their lack of creativity, reflected in just 1 assist across their last five games. The Red Bulls face a similar fate, indicating a matchup where goals could be hard to come by. With tensions high in this derby, betting on the under 3.5 total goals appears to be the smart play.
AC Milan vs Lecce: Under 2.5 Total Goals (+126)
Odds available at FanDuel at time of publishing
As AC Milan prepares to face Lecce, the stage is set for a gritty encounter that leans toward the under on total goals. Milan's recent home form has seen them average just 1.0 goals scored, while they’ve conceded an average of 1.6 at San Siro. Lecce, meanwhile, boasts a solid away defense, allowing only 0.8 goals per game recently. Both teams have struggled to create clear scoring opportunities, reflected in their xG numbers, which have hovered around zero. With Milan's dominance in recent head-to-heads—including five consecutive wins against Lecce—this matchup may see the Rossoneri play it safe, prioritizing defense over flamboyant attacking play. With both sides averaging fewer than two goals per game across their last five outings, backing the under 2.5 goals feels like a savvy play in what promises to be a tactical battle on the pitch.
AC Milan vs Lecce: Lecce +1.5 Goal Handicap (+100)
Odds available at DraftKings at time of publishing
When AC Milan hosts Lecce, the narrative is ripe for an intriguing upset. Milan has been shaky at home recently, posting a modest 2-2-1 record. Their scoring has dipped, averaging just 1 goal in their last five home matches, while conceding 1.6. Lecce, on the other hand, has been a tough opponent, winning three of their last five away games and showcasing a sturdy defense that has allowed just 0.8 goals on the road. Despite Milan’s historical dominance over Lecce, recent trends suggest that Lecce is more than capable of keeping it competitive. The fact that they haven’t been beaten in their last five encounters speaks volumes about their resilience. Given Lecce’s form and AC Milan's struggles, taking Lecce with a 1.5 handicap looks like a savvy play. They might just surprise the Rossoneri on their own turf.
That is the model's read on today's Serie A card. Prices move, so check the price at your bookmaker before you back anything. And if a game does not feel right to you, the strongest move is to skip it -- there is another one tomorrow.
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