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We have a genuinely fascinating clash in Friuli this weekend after a magnificent start to the season for Udinese and now the new look north easterners welcome defending champions Internazionale.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 28th September, 2024 - UK – 2:00pm / US ET – 9:00am / US PT – 6:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – OneFootball / US – Paramount+
UDINESE PREVIEW: FUN IN FRIULI
Following the appointment of Legia Warsaw boss Kosta Runjaic, it became clear over the summer that the Pozzo family had once again turned their attention back to Udinese as they try and seek a top-half finish and, at the very least, avoid final day survival as was the case in Serie A last season.
The home team come into this one on the back of a comfortable 3-1 defeat of Serie B side Salernitana in their most recent outing in midweek in the second round of the Coppa Italia. That means they have suffered just one defeat in their seven matches across all competitions so far this season.
INTER MILAN PREVIEW: ISSUES WITH INTER
Last season, Simone Inzaghi led Internazionale to a genuinely magnificent 2024/25 campaign as they romped to the title. The Nerazzurri have stuttered this time, though, with just two wins in their opening six matches across all competitions so far this season.
The defending champions come into this one on the back of a surprising defeat in the Derby della Madonnina in their most recent outing against AC Milan with Matteo Gabbia scoring an 89th minute winner for the Rossoneri in that game. They have remained entertaining to watch with ten goals scored, only bettered by Milan in Serie A, but there is a lack of the control that saw them be so dominant last year.
UDINESE TEAM NEWS: PAYERO OUT
The resurgence of Udinese this season has been helped by the good will of the return of Alexis Sanchez but the experienced Chilean is yet to feature and remains a doubt for this weekend.
As well as the former Arsenal man, midfielder Martin Payero is unavailable for the hosts alongside defender Lautaro Giannetti due to respective muscle injuries.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Okoye; Kabasele, Bijol, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Kamara; Thauvin, Brenner; Lucca
UNAVAILABLE: Giannetti (Injured), Payero (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Sanchez (Injured)
INTER MILAN TEAM NEWS: BARELLA BLOW
Inter’s key man in midfield, former Cagliari man Nicolo Barella, is instrumental to anything that they do but he is missing for this weekend and that is a major blow.
After suffering a broken leg at the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America this summer, Canada international Tajon Buchanan is nearing a return to full fitness.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martinez
UNAVAILABLE: Barella (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Buchanan (Injured)
UDINESE VS INTER MILAN PREDICTION
Udinese have been playing a fun and fluent style of football with their five matches so far this season consisting of 14 goals. They are sitting towards the top-of-the-table and have been genuinely impressive. Inter are a couple of points back on the Friulians and could do with finding their rhythm from last season but five goals conceded in five games is not what they would have expected after letting just 22 in throughout the whole of last season. This could be a real thriller for the neutral.
UDINESE VS INTER MILAN TIP: OVER 2.5 GOALS