Udinese vs Roma – News and Probable Lineups

Udinese remain without a win in Serie A since August as they prepare to face title-contending Roma at the Bluenergy Stadium this Saturday. The visitors are eager to narrow the gap on league leaders Inter de Milão and Lazio.

Under pressure head coach Kosta Runjaic managed to avert a seventh straight loss following a goalless draw against Parma, but his team, struggling to find the net, now encounters the third-placed team in this upcoming 10th round fixture.

Match overview

Maduka Okoye stepped up for Udinese, helping to extend their winless streak in the top flight to seven matches.

The Nigerian goalkeeper thwarted a second-half penalty attempt from goal-shy Parma, keeping the match scoreless after Keinan Davis’s shot had been cleared off the line.

Udinese nearly snatched a victory late on when Davis’s cross reached Unai Gomez, but Giovanni Daffara managed to parry the ensuing header.

Current results put Udinese in 17th place on the Serie A table, just outside the relegation zone, ahead of Fiorentina and Parma who are even on five points, with bottom team Venezia trailing by just three points.

The pressure is mounting on Runjaic’s shoulders, especially if the Little Zebras continue to struggle offensively; they have gone three consecutive games without scoring, having suffered a 3-0 defeat to Lecce, lost 2-0 to AC Milan, and drawn 0-0 with Parma. In their last four league matches, they have managed to score just once after netting five times in their opening three fixtures.

Roma, in contrast, are in good form. Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad enters Saturday’s matchup having just scored four goals against Cagliari at the Olimpico, following an exciting 3-3 draw with Napoli at the Maradona.

However, Gasperini may find it concerning that his team has recently shown a propensity to concede multiple goals, having conceded five in the last two matches.

The Giallorossi faced a challenge in their recent 4-2 triumph against Cagliari, going behind due to an M’Bala Nzola penalty just 10 minutes in and later seeing the match tied at 2-2 with only 10 minutes remaining.

Rodrigo Mora and leading scorer Donyell Malen found the net late on to ensure the capital side did not lose points for the fourth time in five league outings, keeping their position just four points behind Inter and Lazio.

This victory may be crucial as they head into this weekend, considering Inter could drop points in their derby against Milan, which would be a positive outcome for fans in the red half of the Eternal City.

With still many twists and turns expected before the season concludes next year, Roma will surely look forward to facing a struggling Udinese side in their pursuit of closing in on the top of the standings.

Team News

Alessandro Zanoli and Oumar Solet are doubtful due to muscle injuries, as is Nicolo Bertola, who was substituted in the second half against Parma. Meanwhile, David Alaba (calf), Vakoun Bayo (thigh), and Idrissa Guey (ankle) are ruled out.

Davis came close to ending his scoring drought last week, providing hope that his first league goal and first since mid-August could be on the horizon.

He is expected to receive backing from Nicolo Zaniolo and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, with Zaniolo yet to score or assist this season, while Ekkelenkamp has found the net twice.

Malen tops the scoring charts for Roma with seven goals across eight appearances, trailing behind surprise Capocannoniere leaders Gustavo Varela and Antonio Raimondo by just one goal ahead of this weekend.

While the Dutch forward has positioned himself as the main threat for the Giallorossi, the team is also counting on Matias Soule and Niccolo Pisilli to find the back of the net, both of whom have already scored three times. Paulo Dybala also poses a significant attacking threat, contributing four assists.

Unfortunately, the 2022 World Cup winner will not participate this weekend due to a calf injury and joins Lorenzo Pellegrini (thigh), Manu Kone (muscle), Mile Svilar (toe), and Muhammed Bah (knee) on the injured list.

Udinese probable starting XI:

Okoye; Abankwah, Kabasele, Palma; Vojvoda, Karlstrom, Miller, Kamara; Zaniolo, Ekkelenkamp; Davis

Roma probable starting XI:

Gollini; Mancini, Balerdi, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soule, Mora; Malen

The recent defensive vulnerabilities showcased by Roma offer a glimmer of hope for an Udinese team desperate to score their first goal in four league games, especially if Davis can capitalize on his positive performance from midweek.

Nonetheless, Udinese’s recent fragility paired with the visitors’ variety of match-winners suggests that Gasperini’s side is likely to secure another high-scoring win.