Udinese vs Sassuolo: Serie A Clash – Preview, Team News & Predictions

Both Udinese and Sassuolo enter Sunday’s Serie A lunchtime kickoff looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats last week. This mid-table encounter promises to be a tightly contested affair as both sides seek an immediate response.

Udinese’s Recent Form

Udinese’s recent momentum was halted by a late goal in a 2-1 defeat at Lecce, ending a streak of back-to-back wins. Prior to that, victories over Hellas Verona and Roma had propelled them into the top 10. Despite the setback, Kosta Runjaic’s side remains in a solid ninth position with 32 points, comfortably on course for a mid-table finish. Their home form has been inconsistent, with four wins, four defeats, and four draws.

Sassuolo’s Struggles

Sassuolo suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat against league leaders Inter Milan last Sunday, a result compounded by Nemanja Matic’s dismissal for dissent. While the return of captain Domenico Berardi had sparked a brief revival with wins over Cremonese and Pisa, Fabio Grosso’s team were simply outclassed by Inter. Their away form has been particularly concerning, with only one win in their last six away fixtures.

Team News

Udinese are still without key forward Keinan Davis and Alessandro Zanoli. However, Adam Buksa and Jakub Piotrowski have returned to full training. Nicolo Zaniolo is also regaining fitness and could be in line for a start after recent cameo appearances. Jordan Zemura is expected to continue on the left flank with Hassane Kamara still sidelined.

Sassuolo will be without Nemanja Matic, who is serving a two-match ban. Edoardo Pieragnolo and Fali Cande remain long-term absentees, and Daniel Boloca’s availability is uncertain. Domenico Berardi will support Andrea Pinamonti in attack.

Possible Starting Lineups

• Udinese: Okoye; Bertola, Kristensen, Solet; Ehizibue, Atta, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Zemura; Zaniolo; Bayo
• Sassuolo: Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Thorstvedt, Lipani, Kone; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente

Key Stats & Predictions

Udinese have proven difficult to beat at home, losing only a third of their league fixtures at the Dacia Arena. Sassuolo’s away form, however, has been poor, and they have conceded a significant number of goals on their travels. While Udinese aren’t prolific scorers, their home advantage and Sassuolo’s struggles on the road suggest a favorable outcome for the hosts.

For more in-depth data analysis, including predicted scorelines, click here.

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