Udinese vs Juventus – News and Probable Lineups

As they pursue a top-four finish, Serie A powerhouse Juventus is set to face Udinese on Saturday evening.

This encounter features another contest between the Bianconeri, with Juve positioned just outside the Champions League spots, while their opponents are comfortably mid-table.

Match overview

Following a disappointing run of just two points from their last four league games, compounded by their exit from Europe and the Coppa Italia, Juventus struggled initially in the previous week’s match against relegation-threatened Pisa.

After needing two late goals to secure a draw against fellow Champions League hopefuls Roma, the Turin side failed to score before the break but eventually found their rhythm.

In the second half, goals from Andrea Cambiaso, Khephren Thuram, Kenan Yildiz, and Jeremie Boga led them to a smooth victory at the Allianz Stadium, although they remain in sixth place in Serie A.

The competition for Italy’s fourth Champions League position may go down to the very end, as fifth-placed Como clinched a victory in Cagliari while Roma faltered in Genoa – with the two teams facing each other on Sunday.

Thus, for at least a day, Juve could surpass both rivals with a win in Udine; nevertheless, Luciano Spalletti’s team has conceded three goals in each of their last four away matches.

On a positive note, since Spalletti – who previously managed Udinese for 117 Serie A matches over two terms – took over from Igor Tudor at the end of October, only Inter de Milão has netted more goals than Juventus.

While both teams sport black and white colors, Udinese is significantly in a subordinate position compared to Juventus, recording just one win and ten losses in their last 15 league encounters at home.

Indeed, after suffering defeat in Turin this season, the Friuli club has lost seven of their last eight overall matches, managing to score only two goals – and Juve also eliminated them from the cup shortly thereafter.

Kosta Runjaic and his team approach Saturday’s match after overcoming a concerning dip late in February, during which they faced three consecutive Serie A defeats.

Initially, they triumphed over Fiorentina with a convincing three-goal margin, seemingly poised to replicate that performance last weekend.

However, the Fruilani squandered a two-goal advantage against Atalanta, conceding twice in the final 15 minutes to ultimately finish with a draw.

Eager for a top-half finish, Udinese remains securely mid-table, with Runjaic leading the team away from danger for a second consecutive year.

Team News

Juventus has only Emil Holm and Arkadiusz Milik sidelined, while Dusan Vlahovic has returned to full training after an absence exceeding three months.

The Serbian’s last Serie A goal occurred in the October fixture – his fourth career goal against Udinese – and his return could endanger Jonathan David’s place in the attack, with Lois Openda further down the hierarchy.

Meanwhile, Juve’s standout player Yildiz has netted nine goals this league season, making him a candidate to become the first foreign player in club history to hit double digits as an Under-21.

Following his scoring contributions against Fiorentina and Atalanta, Udinese striker Keinan Davis is also on nine top-flight goals for the current season.

Teaming up with Nicolo Zaniolo again, he could be only the fourth English player to achieve ten goals in a single Serie A season, following Tammy Abraham (17 in 2021-22), David Platt (11 in 1991-92), and Gerry Hitchens (16 in 1961-62 and 12 the following year).

Nicolo Bertola, Jordânia Zemura, and long-term injured Alessandro Zanoli are unavailable, but crucial players Oumar Solet and Arthur Atta are set to make their return to the hosts’ starting XI.

Udinese probable starting XI:

Okoye; Kristensen, Kabasele, Solet; Ehizibue, Ekkelenkamp, ​​Karlstrom, Atta, Kamara; Zaniolo, Davis

Juventus probable starting XI:

Perrin; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; David

Udinese, already safe in the league, have little left to contend for, while Juventus is eager for points to bolster their pursuit of a top-four finish.

This extra motivation is likely to enable Juve to triumph over their fellow Bianconeri, continuing a long-standing tradition of success in Udine.