AS Roma will face Udinese in a Serie A clash that promises excitement as both teams aim to improve their standings. The match will take place on Monday, with Roma looking to extend their winning streak over Udinese.
Match Preview
Roma recently advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League, despite facing challenges in their last league match against AC Milan. That match ended in a 1-1 draw, marking their first domestic stalemate since April. This result keeps them on pace for a possible Champions League return.
To secure a direct spot in UEFA’s prestigious tournament, Roma is focusing on finishing in the top four of Serie A. They face stiff competition from Juventus, Como, and Atalanta. The team currently possesses one of Italy’s strongest defenses, having conceded just 13 goals in 22 league matches.
Historically, Roma dominates their encounters with Udinese. The last meeting in November resulted in a 2-0 victory for Roma, making it six consecutive wins over their opponents. Udinese has struggled against Roma, conceding at least two goals in each of those defeats.
Udinese’s Current Form
Udinese is positioned in the mid-table following a 3-1 victory over Hellas Verona, which marked an improvement in their performance. This win boosted their morale after a series of inconsistent results earlier in the season. Despite being safe from relegation, they are too far from European qualification spots.
Facing Roma presents a challenging task for Udinese, who haven’t won back-to-back matches since September. The team’s ability to secure points against Roma will prove crucial in maintaining their mid-table stability.
Team News
Roma’s injury issues are mounting. Midfielder Manu Kone will be sidelined for three weeks, while Paulo Dybala is dealing with a knee issue. Dybala has been instrumental in their offense against Udinese, contributing to a league record of 21 goals in 22 matches against the Bianconeri.
Additionally, forwards Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson are also unavailable, but new signings Robino Vaz and Donyell Malen are eligible to play. Spanish defender Mario Hermoso has returned to full training, offering some hope to coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
On the other side, Udinese will miss former Roma player Nicolo Zaniolo due to a knee injury. Rising star Arthur Atta is expected to play alongside Keinan Davis, who has been impactful this season, directly contributing to 10 goals. However, injuries persist, as Alessandro Zanoli will also be unavailable after sustaining an ACL injury.
Possible Lineups
| Udinese | Roma |
|---|---|
| Okoye | Svilar |
| Bertola, Kristensen, Solet | Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi |
| Ehizibue, Miller, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Zemura | Celik, Cristante, El Aynaoui, Wesley |
| Atta | Soule, Pellegrini |
| Davis | Malen |
Prediction
Given the statistics and current form, the expectation leans towards a narrow victory for Roma. Their solid defense and historical success against Udinese factor heavily into this forecast. A predicted scoreline could be Udinese 0 – 1 Roma, highlighting the visitors’ capability to capitalize on their opponents’ weaknesses.
