Udinese vs Genoa Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Udinese have been much-improved this season after the Pozzo family turned their attention and priority back to the Friulians following avoiding relegation on the final day of last season as they now prepare to face a Genoa side in flux on and off the pitch.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 1st December, 2024: UK – 11:30am / US ET – 6:30am / US PT – 3:30am
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: Friulian frustration
Former Legia Warsaw boss Kosta Runjaic was appointed over the summer with Udinese playing a more proactive style of football as they seek to propel themselves away from a relegation battle and towards the top seven and the European spots but the Friulians have significantly underperformed in the last few weeks.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Empoli in Florence at the weekend thanks to a late-ish equaliser from former Aston Villa forward Keinan Davis. That point, though, means Udinese have managed just three victories in their last ten matches across all competitions.
Genoa Preview: Vieira’s Genoa
Late into the November international break, controversial ownership group 777 Partners took the decision to sack impressive coach Alberto Gilardino and replace him with former Nice, Crystal Palace, New York City and Strasbourg boss Patrick Vieira as they hover just above the bottom three and the relegation places with a very average squad.
They sold key players in the summer and with off-field issues mounting up look likely to battling against the drop throughout the campaign. Genoa come into this one on the back of a 2-2 draw with Cagliari in their most recent outing last weekend in a game in which they did lead until as late as the 88th minute.
Udinese Team News: Kamara suspension
Former Watford left-back Hassane Kamara is a key man for Udinese but he is missing through suspension for this weekend as a result of picking up too many yellow cards.
As well as the absence of Kamara, former Middlesbrough midfielder Martin Payero remains sidelined through injury alongside former Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Okoye; Giannetti, Bijol, Toure; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Oier Zarraga, Zemura; Thauvin, Davis
Unavailable: Kamara (Suspended), Payero (Injured), Sanchez (Injured)
Questionable:
Genoa Team News: Attacking issues
Following the sales of Albert Gudmundsson and Mateo Retegui over the summer, Genoa recently brought in free agent Mario Balotelli to bolster their front-line.
They still have a couple of issues in attacking areas of the pitch with Caleb Ekuban sidelined, whilst Junior Messias and Vitinha have only just returned to full fitness.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leali; Sabelli, Bani, Matturro, Caricol; Zanoli, Thorsby, Badelj, Frendrup, Miretti; Pinamonti
Unavailable: De Winter (Injured), Malinovskiy (Injured), Ekuban (Injured)
Questionable:
Udinese vs Genoa Prediction
Udinese have been a lot more entertaining to watch, as mentioned, throughout this season. In seven of their 13 matches in Serie A so far this season, both team have scored. Genoa are likely to be a bit more proactive under the management of Vieira so will likely get on the front foot against out-of-form opposition. That could lead to quite an entertaining encounter in this one in which both teams scoring seems a good bet.
Udinese vs Genoa Tip: Both teams to score
