Udinese will be hosting Salernitana at the Bluenergy Stadium for the 27th gameweek of Serie A, with a keen intent to terminate their streak of unsuccessful encounters against the Granata on Saturday.
Despite both teams contending for survival, the visiting team’s considerably more precarious position virtually guarantees their relegation.
Match preview
Udinese’s recent three-game undefeated streak, yielding five points out of nine, had provided them with some breathing room from the lower-ranked teams. However, their loss to Genoa last weekend interrupted this positive run.
Facing a disadvantageous situation after conceding twice in the closing minutes of the first half, Udinese found themselves further hampered as they were reduced to ten men following Thomas Kristensen’s dismissal three minutes into the second half.
Gabriele Cioffi’s team managed to prevent further goals but suffered a defeat, relegating them to 15th place in the league standings, with a three-point cushion over 18th-placed Sassuolo.
Seeking to reverse their fortunes this weekend, Udinese faces a challenge given their poor home record of only one win in 13 attempts, reflecting a broader struggle to secure necessary results during the relegation battle. Notably, they have drawn eight home matches, a statistic surpassing that of any other Serie A side.
Despite enduring an exceptionally disappointing season, with Udinese accruing only 23 points, a record low at this stage under the three-point system, Cioffi’s team could potentially distance themselves further from the relegation zone with a victory this Saturday, provided other results align favorably.
Their opponents, who have suffered seven defeats in their last eight Serie A matches, with their sole point coming from a goalless draw against Torino, are facing internal changes with Fabio Liverani replacing Filippo Inzaghi. Despite speculation linking Inzaghi to a potential return, Liverani is set to lead the team for the upcoming fixture.
Meanwhile, Salernitana, despite their struggles this season, approach the weekend’s match with a three-game undefeated streak against Udinese and a history of securing points from their previous visits to Udine.
The outcome of this weekend’s match remains uncertain, but for the Salerno-based club, securing points is imperative in their bid to narrow the current seven-point gap in the survival race.
Team news
Kristensen has been suspended following his dismissal during last weekend’s match against Genoa. Additionally, Vivaldo (suffering from a thigh injury) and Jaka Bijol (dealing with an ankle injury) are uncertain to participate.
Conversely, Enzo Ebosse and Gerard Deulofeu will definitely miss out due to knee injuries.
Niccolo Pierozzi and Federico Fazio are questionable for selection owing to muscle injuries, while Lorenzo Pirola and Norbert Gyomber will be absent this weekend due to similar issues.
Shon Weissman remains the sole scorer for Salernitana, having scored the team’s only goal in 360 minutes of play. He is expected to spearhead the team’s attack once more this upcoming weekend.
Udinese possible starting lineup:
Okoye; Ferreira, Giannetti, Perez; Ehizibue, Samardzic, Walace, Lovric, Zemura; Pereyra; Lucca
Salernitana possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Boateng, Manolas, Pellegrino; Zanioli, Basic, Coulibaly, Bradaric; Candreva, Kastanos; Weissman