Sunday’s Serie A action closes out at the Stadio Olimpico as Roma and Udinese go head-to-head in a handsomely-looking fixture. While the visitors have nothing but pride left to play for, this could be a crucial match for the hosts.
After Milan’s underwhelming 1-1 draw at Bologna on Saturday afternoon, Roma could move three points clear of the fourth-placed Rossoneri with a win here. Fatigue could be a problem, though. Jose Mourinho’s side suffered a 1-0 defeat at Feyenoord on Thursday after Lorenzo Pellegrini spurned a penalty in the first half.
Though the return leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie takes place in Rome next week, the Giallorossi are not in good shape. In addition to going down in Rotterdam, Roma lost their talismanic forward Paulo Dybala to another injury. The Argentine’s absence may derail the home side’s hopes of extending their two-game winning streak in Serie A.
It’s uncertain whether Udinese have the strength to exploit Roma’s tired legs, though. After back-to-back league wins over Milan and Empoli, Andrea Sottil’s men have gone winless in their last two outings in Serie A, including an abysmal 3-0 defeat at Bologna on their most recent top-flight travel.
Beto’s last-gasp penalty rescued a point for Udinese against Monza last weekend as the Friulians fought back late to claim a 2-2 draw at the Dacia Arena. Unfortunately for the visitors, that result has likely condemned them to another mid-table finish, with sixth-placed Atalanta now nine points away.
Match Preview
Roma
Interestingly, none of the last 13 Serie A encounters between Roma and Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico have ended level, with the Giallorossi pulling off 11 wins in that period (L2). Indeed, the hosts have made light work of the Udine outfit in recent times, racking up eight wins in their nine most recent league H2Hs in the capital.
Roma will likely have to keep Udinese at bay to make their impressive H2H home streak go on. They have gone winless in all nine previous Serie A matches in which they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet (D4, L5). Likewise, they’ve won a league joint-high eight games ‘to nil’ in 2023, highlighting the significance of Mourinho’s defensive set-up.
Player to Watch: Georginio Wijnaldum
It may seem like a surprise choice, but Georginio Wijnaldum has already clocked two second-half goals for Roma since returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Udinese
After picking up three wins in their first four away league games of the season (L1), Udinese have won just two of their last 11 Serie A matches on the road (D4, L5). Scoring has been a genuine issue, with Sottil’s side ominously failing to get on the scoresheet in four of their seven league travels in the build-up to this trip.
Moreover, Udinese has been defeated in their previous three encounters against teams positioned in the top three of the Serie A table at the start of the matchday. That is the longest losing streak under the same manager since March 2016, when they suffered five consecutive losses under Stefano Colantuono’s leadership.
Player to Watch: Beto
Beto, who scored his tenth Serie A goal of the season in the previous round, has netted his last five goals exclusively at the Dacia Arena. His most recent away goal in Serie A was against Hellas Verona in October last year.
Team News
Besides the abovementioned Dybala, the Giallorossi will likely be without Tammy Abraham, who’s yet to recover from a shoulder injury. Despite the unavailability of Ola Solbakken and Rick Karsdorp, Roma boss Mourinho still have enough ammunition to get Roma back to winning ways. Wijnaldum, Diego Llorente, and Stefan El Shaarawy could return to the starting lineup.
On the other hand, Udinese stalwart Roberto Pereyra, who was suspended against Monza last weekend, will return to the team and assume the captaincy. However, standout winger Gerard Deulofeu, who has been out of action for an extended period, may not make a comeback until later this month.
Roma vs Udinese Potential Lineups
Roma (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Gianluca Mancini, Chris Smalling, Diego Llorente; Nicola Zalewski, Bryan Cristante, Nemanja Matic, Leonardo Spinazzola; Georginio Wijnaldum, Stefan El Shaarawy; Andrea Belotti.
Udinese (3-5-2): Marco Silvestri; Rodrigo Becao, Jaka Bijol, Nehuen Perez; Ehizibue, Sandi Lovric, Walace, Roberto Pereyra, Destiny Udogie; Isaac Success, Beto.
Roma vs Udinese Prediction
Given the inevitable squad rotations, Roma cannot afford to rely on their impressive H2H home record. While Udinese are not having a great time, we think they can steal a point against Mourinho’s understrength lineup.
Prediction: Draw
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