On Sunday, two Serie A mid-table clubs, Udinese and Sassuolo, will clash in a much-anticipated match following defeats in their previous outings. Both teams will be eager to bounce back and secure valuable points.
Match Preview: Udinese vs Sassuolo
Last week, Udinese’s brief resurgence ended with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Lecce, halting their two-match winning streak. Previously, they had achieved impressive victories over Hellas Verona and Roma, lifting them into the top ten. The defeat at Stadio Via del Mare left Udinese with 32 points, maintaining their ninth-place standing, three points ahead of Bologna.
Udinese’s Home Performance
This season, Udinese’s home record is balanced with four wins, four losses, and four draws, averaging only one goal per match. However, they have a strong history against Sassuolo in home fixtures, remaining unbeaten in six consecutive matches.
Sassuolo’s Recent Struggles
Sassuolo, on the other hand, is looking to recover from a humiliating 5-0 defeat to league leaders Inter Milan. Before this loss, Sassuolo had shown promise, winning against Cremonese and Pisa with the help of star player Domenico Berardi. Despite their earlier success, the recent defeat halted their momentum.
Sassuolo’s Away Record
On the road, Sassuolo’s form has been concerning, winning only one of their last six away matches. However, a victory in Udine could propel them level on points with their opponents.
Team News
Udinese will miss their top striker Keinan Davis and Alessandro Zanoli due to injuries, although Adam Buksa and Jakub Piotrowski have returned to training. Nicolo Zaniolo may start following a recent knee surgery, while Hassane Kamara’s ongoing foot issues will keep him sidelined.
- Udinese Possible Lineup: Okoye; Bertola, Kristensen, Solet; Ehizibue, Atta, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Zemura; Zaniolo; Bayo
Sassuolo faces additional challenges with midfielder Nemanja Matic serving a two-match ban after his sending-off against Inter. They also have long-term absentees in Fali Cande and Edoardo Pieragnolo. Andrea Pinamonti, who has scored four goals against Udinese previously, will lead the attack.
- Sassuolo Possible Lineup: Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Thorstvedt, Lipani, Kone; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente
Predictions
Taking into account the home advantage and Udinese’s sturdy defense, the prediction leans toward a 2-1 victory for Udinese against Sassuolo. Given Sassuolo’s struggles away from home and their recent defensive lapses, this match promises to be a significant test for both clubs.
