Udinese will welcome Scudetto aspirants Inter at Dacia Arena on Sunday, with the Milan-based side hoping to maintain pressure on their title rivals.
Inter succumbed to an unforeseen defeat at the hands of Bologna last weekend, dropping three valuable points. Those three points could have sent them one point clear of Milan at the top of the table. But now, their title fortune relies on their neighbours’ performances in their remaining fixtures. Of course, Milan will have to stable their ship first.
Udinese have emerged as one of the most impressive teams this season. They are capable of carrying out a few shocks here and there. Last weekend, they put four past Fiorentina in Serie A. That win against La Viola surely boosted their confidence, which could get reflected in the league fixture against Inter on Sunday.
The recent form (in the last five matches in Serie A)
Udinese: W-W-L-D-W
Inter: W-W-W-W-L
Team News
One of the most impressive players for Udinese this season, Beto is out with a hamstring problem. Roberto Pereyra should be available after returning from his muscular injury. Having survived a one-match ban, Nehuen Perez should return for the weekend’s game against Inter. If everything goes as anticipated, he will replace Bram Nuytinck in the defence. Jean-Victor Makengo will serve his suspension against Inter.
Alessandro Bastoni is unlikely to feature for Nerazzurri on Sunday. He will join Robin Gosens on the sideline. Picking up his 10th yellow card of the season, Hakan Calhanoglu will not be part of the trip due to the suspension. Arturo Vidal could replace the Turkish international in the midfield.
Predicted XIs
Udinese (3-5-2): Silvestri; Becao, Mari, Perez; Molina, Arslan, Walace, Pereyra, Udogie; Deulofeu, Success
Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, D’Ambrosio; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Vidal, Perisic; Martinez, Dzeko
Inter are the favourites to win the game, but Udinese have been so unpredictable thus far that one should not bet against them. Furthermore, losing Calhanoglu to suspension could result in a lack of creativity in front of the goal for the visitors. In all, the game has all ingredients to fabricate a feisty affair.
