Udinese vs Sassuolo: Serie A Showdown at Dacia Arena

Udinese vs Sassuolo: Serie A Showdown at Dacia Arena

The Serie A season continues to heat up as mid-table rivals Udinese and Sassuolo prepare to lock horns in a pivotal encounter at the Dacia Arena on Sunday. Both teams are looking to shake off recent setbacks and secure a vital three points in their quest for a comfortable mid-table finish.

Match Preview: A Battle for Momentum

Udinese, currently holding ninth place in the Serie A standings, will be eager to get back to winning ways after their impressive streak was halted by Lecce last weekend. Following consecutive league victories for the first time since September, including a significant win over Roma, Kosta Runjaic's side suffered a late 2-1 defeat at the Stadio Via del Mare. Lameck Banda's 90th-minute strike proved decisive, leaving the Bianconeri empty-handed and highlighting a perceived lack of attacking bite, with key forwards Keinan Davis and Nicolo Zaniolo still finding their fitness.

Despite the loss, Udinese has managed to retain its ninth-place position, sitting comfortably ahead of struggling Bologna. With 32 points accumulated so far, they are on course for a safe mid-table finish. Their home record at the Dacia Arena presents a mixed bag of four wins, four defeats, and four draws, averaging just one goal per game. However, they boast an impressive unbeaten streak of six home games against Sassuolo, a statistic that will undoubtedly fuel their confidence heading into this fixture.

On the other side, Sassuolo will be equally motivated to bounce back from a heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Inter Milan. The Neroverdi's recent revival, inspired by the return of star man and skipper Domenico Berardi, which saw them secure back-to-back wins against Cremonese and Pisa, was abruptly curtailed by the Scudetto favorites. The dismissall of Nemanja Matic for dissent further compounded their misery on a difficult night at the Mapei Stadium.

Fabio Grosso's men now face the challenge of an away trip, an area where their form has wavered in recent times. After a strong period where they collected 10 points from four away fixtures, their last six road games have yielded only one victory. Sassuolo sits three points behind Udinese in the league standings, and a win in Udine would see them draw level on points with their hosts, making this a crucial fixture for both clubs.

Team News: Key Absences and Potential Returns

Udinese continues to be hampered by the absence of first-choice frontman Keinan Davis and the long-term injury to Alessandro Zanoli. However, positive news comes in the form of Polish duo Adam Buksa and Jakub Piotrowski, who have both returned to full training. Nicolo Zaniolo, after undergoing further knee surgery, has made cameo appearances against his former club Roma and in the recent loss to Lecce, suggesting he could be ready to feature from the start.

Hassane Kamara's persistent foot problem means Jordan Zemura is likely to continue on the hosts' left flank. For Sassuolo, the midfield will be without Nemanja Matic, who is serving a two-match ban for his outburst against the referee in the Inter match. He joins long-term absentees Edoardo Pieragnolo and Fali Cande on the sidelines. The availability of Daniel Boloca, who is recovering from a knee injury, remains uncertain.

Upfront, Domenico Berardi is expected to partner lone striker Andrea Pinamonti. Pinamonti, who has a decent record against Udinese with four previous goals, will be looking to end his own Serie A goal drought, which has lasted since November.

Predicted Lineups

Udinese possible starting lineup: Okoye; Bertola, Kristensen, Solet; Ehizibue, Atta, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Zemura; Zaniolo; Bayo

Sassuolo possible starting lineup: Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Thorstvedt, Lipani, Kone; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente

Score Prediction: Tight Encounter Expected

While Udinese may not be the most prolific side in Serie A, they have demonstrated a commendable resilience on home soil, losing only a third of their league fixtures at the Dacia Arena. Conversely, Sassuolo's away form has taken a downturn, and they have conceded a considerable number of goals in recent outings. Considering Udinese's strong home record against Sassuolo and their opponent's recent defensive frailties on the road, a narrow victory for the home side seems probable.

We say: Udinese 2-1 Sassuolo

The battle at the Dacia Arena promises to be an intriguing contest, with both teams desperate to secure a positive result. Udinese's home advantage and solid defensive record against Sassuolo could give them the edge, but Sassuolo's attacking talent, particularly with Berardi back in form, means they will pose a significant threat.