Serie A | Udinese v Genoa: Match Prediction, Preview, Team News and Lineups

Udinese and Genoa will be looking for points when they clash in a crucial Serie A encounter at the Bluenergy Stadium on Sunday. Both teams enter the match with contrasting form and ambitions, making for an intriguing fixture.

Udinese find themselves in a precarious position, having failed to secure a victory in their last four matches. Their recent form has been particularly concerning, with three losses and a draw in their previous four outings. The Friulians have slipped to ninth place in the Serie A table, a far cry from their early-season promise when they collected 10 points from their first four matches.

Kosta Runjaic’s side will be eager to recapture their early-season form and end their winless streak. Their last victory came on October 25, a 2-0 win against Cagliari, and they’ll be hoping to replicate that performance.

Genoa, under the new management of Patrick Vieira, are looking to build on their recent unbeaten run. The Grifone have gone three matches without defeat, including a win against Parma and draws against Como and Cagliari. However, their position in the league table remains precarious, sitting just above the relegation zone in 17th place.

Vieira’s men will be motivated to secure their first win under the French coach and potentially climb out of the danger zone. Their away form has been a bright spot this season, with both of their victories coming on the road.

Udinese have historically enjoyed a strong home record against Genoa. In the last 14 home matches against the Ligurian side since the 2009-10 season, Udinese have kept nine clean sheets, more than against any other opponent. This statistic could play on the minds of both teams as they prepare for Sunday’s clash.

For Udinese, Florian Thauvin and Lorenzo Lucca have been the standout performers this season, with three and four goals respectively. Genoa will look to Andrea Pinamonti, their top scorer with four goals, to provide the attacking threat.

Team News

Udinese will be without Jaka Bijol, who is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards. Alexis Sanchez is nearing a return from a thigh injury but is unlikely to feature in this match. Martin Payero and Gerard Deulofeu remain sidelined.

Genoa have their own injury concerns, with Ruslan Malinovskyi, Caleb Ekuban, Jeff Ekhator, and Koni De Winter all doubtful for the match. Andrea Pinamonti, despite recent goal-scoring struggles, is expected to lead the line for the visitors.

Expected Starting XIs

Udinese: Okoye; Kabasele, Giannetti, Toure; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Zarraga, Zemura; Thauvin, Davis

Genoa: Leali; Sabelli, Bani, Vasquez, Martin; Thorsby, Badelj, Frendrup; Zanoli, Pinamonti, Miretti

Match Prediction

Given Udinese’s strong home record against Genoa and their desire to end their winless run, they enter the match as slight favorites. However, Genoa’s recent unbeaten streak and improved away form suggest they could pose a significant challenge.

The match is likely to be closely contested, with both teams aware of the importance of securing points. A draw seems a probable outcome, with a predicted scoreline of 1-1. This result would extend Genoa’s unbeaten run but do little to alleviate the pressure on either side as they look to climb the Serie A table.

Prediction: Udinese 1-1 Genoa

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