Sunday’s Serie A action gets underway at the Dacia Arena as Udinese and Inter go head-to-head in a handsomely-looking top-half clash. With only one point separating the sides ahead of the kick-off, the visitors can leapfrog the Friulians into fourth in the standings if they can upset the Udine faithful.
It’s been a phenomenal Serie A start for high-flying Udinese, who have gone unbeaten in five league matches since a 4-2 defeat at Milan on the opening weekend. Andrea Sottil’s side came from a 1-0 halftime deficit to beat Sassuolo 3-1 at the Mapei Stadium for a fourth consecutive win and a place in the top four ahead of matchday seven.
On the other hand, goals on either side of halftime inspired visiting Inter to an all-important 2-0 win at Viktoria Plzen in midweek Champions League action. A morale-boosting European night followed the Nerazzurri’s narrow 1-0 home triumph over Torino as Simone Inzaghi looks to keep his team on the upwards trajectory.
However, the visitors’ momentary upturn in form may provide them with a false sense of security. Indeed, Inter can ill-afford to underestimate Udinese here, especially knowing their hosts stunned Jose Mourinho’s Roma 4-0 in their most recent Serie A outing at the Dacia Arena. Without further ado, let’s skip to our preview.
Match Preview
Udinese
There is no doubt – Udinese are the surprise package of the season thus far, with their impressive 13-point tally standing as their best-ever points total after the opening six top-flight matches. New head coach Sottil wants his men to keep their feet firmly on the ground as he aims to steer the Friulians to their first top-four finish since 2011/12.
While that coveted placing remains a far-fetched dream at this point, Udinese will be out to post their fifth straight Serie A win for the first time since December 2017. If you’re looking for an omen, the hosts’ final victory in that run came against Inter of all sides. But Udine outfit’s fortunes against last season’s runners-up have since turned around.
Indeed, Sottil’s lads have since failed to get on the scoresheet in seven of their nine encounters against Inter (D2, L7). So Udinese will have to overcome that mental barrier if they are to upset the apple cart on home turf against more heavily fancied rivals. But keep an eye on the hosts late in the game as they’ve netted a league joint-high four goals inside the final 15 minutes of play this term.
Inter
Inter will be desperate to renew confidence following an indifferent six-match Serie A start (W4, L2) and tuck themselves into top-four comforts on the cusp of the international break. That will require Inzaghi’s men to defy their recent away form in domestic proceedings as they’ve lost both previous league fixtures on the road, conceding precisely three goals in each.
Coming into this showdown, Inter have been the epitome of inconsistent performances, alternating between victories (3) and defeats (2) across their last five league outings. Furthermore, Inzaghi’s men are staring down the barrel of three Serie A away losses in a row for the first time since May 2017. Putting a better defensive shift is key to avoiding that fate.
Amongst sides in the top half of the table, only Salernitana (8) have conceded as many Serie A goals as Inter this season. But after keeping Udinese at bay in four of their five previous top-flight visits to the Dacia Arena, the Nerazzurri will feel confident about restoring a wall in front of Samir Handanovic’s goal.
Udinese vs Inter Potential Line-ups
Udinese (3-5-2): Marco Silvestri; Nehuen Perez, Rodrigo Becao, Bram Nuytinck; Roberto Pereyra, Lazar Samardzic, Walace, Jean-Victor Makengo, Destiny Udogie; Gerard Deulofeu, Beto.
Inter (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Matteo Darmian, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko.