Monza vs Udinese Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta remains in charge of Monza but the pressure is growing as the Lombardians languish down towards the bottom end of the table ahead of facing an out of form Udinese side at Stadio Brianteo this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Monday 9th December, 2024: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
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+
Monza Preview: Struggling I Biancorossi
Monza come into this one on the back of a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Bologna in their most recent outing in the Round of 16 of the Coppa Italia in midweek thanks to strikes from Tommaso Pobega, Riccardo Orsolini, Bryan Domginuez and Santiago Castro. That has only contributed to the bad mood brought about by their poor form in Serie A.
The home team sit firmly in the bottom three and the relegation places ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures with just one win in their opening 14 matches. They have scored just 12 goals, too, with only Lecce and Venezia scoring fewer than them after a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Como last weekend.
Udinese Preview: Falling Friulians
Over the summer, after narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of last season, the Pozzo family seemingly turned their attention back to Udinese with a bit more investment in the summer transfer window and the impressive appointment of former Legia Warsaw boss Kosta Runjaic but things have taken a turn after a positive start to the campaign.
The Friulians come into this one on the back of a 2-0 loss to struggling Genoa last weekend with Isaak Toure’s fourth minute red card being punished by an Andrea Pinamonti strike and an own goal from Lorenzo Giannetti. Udinese are now winless in their last five matches as they fade into the middle-of-the-table.
Monza Team News: No quick fix
There is no quick fix for Monza at the moment due to the lack of quality in the squad and an over reliance on inefficient players such as Dany Mota and Daniel Maldini in attack.
They are dealing with a few experienced absentees such as goalkeeper Alessio Cragno as well as midfield duo Roberto Gagliardini and Matteo Pessina with Stefano Sensi also not yet fully fit.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Turati; Caldirola, Pablo Mari, Carboni; Pereira, Bondo, Bianco, Kyriakopoulos; Dany Mota, Maldini; Caprari
Unavailable: Cragno (Injured), Gagliardini (Injured), Pessina (Injured)
Questionable: Sensi (Injured)
Udinese Team News: Toure suspension
As mentioned, defender Isaak Toure was sent off early on in their defeat to Genoa last weekend so is missing this weekend’s trip to Monza through suspension.
As well as the absence of Toure, they are also still dealing with some creative players being sidelined such as Martin Payero and Alexis Sanchez, whilst Gerard Deulofeu remains a long-term absentee.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Okoye; Ehizibue, Giannetti, Kabasele, Zemura; Thauvin, Lovric, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp; Davis, Lucca
Unavailable: Toure (Suspended), Payero (Injured), Sanchez (Injured), Gerard Deulofeu (Injured)
Questionable:
Monza vs Udinese Prediction
Monza need a win. They will continue with the controlled and defensive style of Nesta, most recently seen struggling in Serie B with Reggiana last season before his job back with the Berlusconi family. Udinese were overperforming their underlying data at the start of this season and things taking a turn are, therefore, not overly surprising, but they themselves could do with rediscovering some control. As a result, this is unlikely to be an overly entertaining clash for the neutral.
Monza vs Udinese Tip: Under 2.5 goals
