Udinese vs Cremonese – News and Probable Lineups

Cremonese aim to achieve consecutive Serie A victories for the first time since December as they head to mid-table Udinese in Sunday’s penultimate fixture.

Following a tumultuous week that impacted all teams’ preparations, all 10 matches will occur simultaneously, with La Cremo’s visit to Bluenergy Stadium scheduled to take place at the same time as their relegation rival Lecce.

Match overview

Cremonese improved their chances of surviving relegation with a 3-0 win against already relegated Pisa last weekend, capitalizing on the Nerazzurri’s lack of discipline to secure the victory.

In a match anticipated to be closely contested despite their opponents having already surrendered their top-flight status, Giampaolo’s side benefited from red cards shown to Rosen Bozhinov and Felipe Loyola during their 3-0 victory, marking the Violini’s largest win of the 2025-26 season.

Jamie Vardy found the net for the first time since January, Federico Bonazzoli has now scored in consecutive matches after ending a six-match drought, while David Okereke scored for the first time in nearly two months, adding flair to the final result.

With Lecce falling 1-0 against Juventus, Cremonese enters gameweek 37 just one point away from safety, though they may require another victory in the final matches of the season to surpass the Lupi.

However, the Lombardy side has suffered eight defeats in their nine away games in 2026, managing only a 2-0 win against Parma during that span, and failed to score in subsequent defeats to Cagliari (1-0) and Napoli (4-0), underscoring the steep challenge facing the visitors ahead of Sunday’s journey to Udine.

Kosta Runjaic has skillfully kept the hosts motivated this weekend, even though they are playing for little more than a respectable league finish.

Currently in 10th place, the Friulani are performing well, being fourth in the form table, having gathered 10 points from their last five encounters, with victories over out-of-form AC Milan (3-0), Torino (2-0), and Cagliari (2-0).

The victory against Cagliari last weekend means Runjaic’s side has recorded clean sheets in back-to-back matches for the second time this season, the first instance occurring during a three-match stretch against Genoa (2-0), Como (0-0), and Milan.

Looking to replicate that recent success, the hosts will aim to maintain their unbeaten record against their Lombardy-based opponents since a Coppa Italia defeat in August 1996, although only three fixtures have occurred between the two clubs since then.

Udinese’s unbeaten league streak in this matchup dates back to 1985, a remarkable 41-year record they hope to hold against Sunday’s struggling away team.

Team News

Kingsley Ehizibue will miss one match due to suspension following an accumulation of yellow cards, while Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (leg) and Alessandro Zanoli (knee) are definitely ruled out.

Branimir Mlacic will be evaluated after his early exit with injury during 54 minutes against Cagliari last weekend, which may result in a change at right centre-back for the hosts based in Udine.

Leading scorer Keinan Davis returned to action with an assist after a three-game absence, bringing his total to 14 direct goal involvements this season, and could increase his tally of 10 league goals on Sunday.

Vardy was back in the scoring column for Cremonese last week against Pisa, bringing his season total to six, more than all of his teammates except Bonazzoli, who is one goal short of reaching double digits.

The relegation-threatened visitors will be without Federico Baschirotto due to a hamstring problem, and Martin Payero, Faris Moumbagna, Romano Floriani Mussolini, and Giuseppe Pezzella will be assessed before Sunday’s fixture in Udine.

Udinese probable starting XI:

Okoye; Bertola, Kristensen, Solet; Zemura, Karlstrom, Piotrowski, Atta, Kamara; Zaniolo, Buksa

Cremonese probable starting XI:

Audero; Terracciano, Bianchetti, Luperto, Golino; Barbieri, Maleh, Grassi, Vandaputte; Bonazzoli, Vardy

Udinese’s home form in Serie A is not encouraging, as they have managed just two victories in their last five and six overall out of 18 matches, while Cremonese’s away performance is particularly poor.

Having lost all but one of their nine away games in 2026, another defeat appears likely in Udine despite their pressing need for points.