Udinese vs Fiorentina – News and Probable Lineups

After a near miss, Fiorentina is ready to refocus on their Serie A survival efforts on Monday as they travel to play mid-table Udinese.

While the Viola appear to be regaining their form, their hosts are on a downward spiral with three consecutive league losses.

Match overview

Fiorentina showcased their defensive vulnerabilities this season by squandering a 3-0 advantage in the first leg of their Conference League playoff last Thursday, narrowly advancing past Jagiellonia Bialystok after extra time.

A remarkable display in Poland had initially put them in a strong position; however, they faltered in the second leg, only regaining the lead with Nicolo Fagioli’s strike in the 107th minute.

Both sides added to the scoreline later, culminating in a tense conclusion, yet the Viola secured a 5-4 aggregate win and a place in the last-16 against more Polish opponents.

Before their match with Rakow Czestochowa in UEFA’s third-tier tournament, Paolo Vanoli’s squad must concentrate on maintaining their Serie A status.

Since his arrival in November, Vanoli has gradually guided Fiorentina away from the looming threat of relegation, with last week’s 1-0 victory over Tuscan rivals Pisa finally lifting them out of the danger zone.

In fact, they’ve accrued 15 out of their 24 points this calendar year, including six from the last nine available in away matches.

Following their 2-1 success in Como, Fiorentina is poised to win back-to-back Serie A away matches for the first time since November 2024.

Fiorentina’s resurgence was ignited by their previous encounter with Udinese, achieving an impressive 5-1 victory in the reverse fixture last December, where the Bianconeri found themselves down to 10 men within the first seven minutes.

Monday’s hosts have also suffered three losses in their last four home encounters against the Viola – matching the total defeats throughout the prior 18 matches – indicating that recent form does not favor them.

Current performance is also a concern for Kosta Runjaic and his team. Back-to-back wins over Hellas Verona and Roma briefly positioned them inside Italy’s top 10, but they are now amid a streak of three straight losses.

Following a defeat to a late goal in Lecce, they also faltered at home against Sassuolo; their last outing ended in a 1-0 loss to Bologna.

At home this season, Udinese has managed only four wins from 13 attempts, averaging one goal per game.

Nevertheless, they are on track to meet their objective of mid-table safety, as Runjaic continues to keep the team competitive and steer them away from peril.

Team News

Having to cope with playing 120 minutes on Thursday, Vanoli is likely to make several adjustments to his Fiorentina lineup.

Three changes may be necessary due to injuries sustained midweek by reserve goalkeeper Luca Lezzerini (thigh), German left-back Robin Gosens (face), and winger Manor Solomon (muscular).

Dodo is also serving a suspension, meanwhile, Albert Gudmundsson has returned from injury as a late substitute against Jagiellonia and could start alongside Moise Kean.

Having scored two goals against Udinese earlier in the season, Kean has recently found the net in his last three Serie A fixtures.

With top scorer Keinan Davis just returning from injury and expected to not start, Nicolo Zaniolo is anticipated to be Udinese’s primary threat.

Following an unproductive loan period with Fiorentina last season, Zaniolo has netted five league goals this term – six is his personal record, dating back to 2020.

In addition to key defender Oumar Solet and long-term absentee Alessandro Zanoli both being out, Hassane Kamara remains a doubt due to plantar fasciitis.

Udinese probable starting XI:

Okoye; Kristensen, Kabasele, Bertola; Ehizibue, Ekkelenkamp, ​​Karlstrom, Atta, Zemura; Zaniolo, Buksa

Fiorentina probable starting XI:

De Gea; Fortini, Comuzzo, Pongracic, Ranieri; Brescianini, Beans, Mandragora; Harrison, Kean, Gudmundsson

While Udinese may glide to the finish line, Fiorentina is under pressure to perform, as one of six teams battling to evade the final relegation spot.

Goals are almost guaranteed, as the last four league encounters have averaged 4.5 goals per game – with both teams seldom managing a clean sheet.