Udinese vs Genoa

Udinese are back home at the Stadio Friuli hoping to build off of an important win they picked up last week over Reggina. They will be hosting a Genoa outfit who will be trying to clear their system of a disappointing derby loss to Sampdoria at home.

Udinese were able to defeat Reggina by a score of 1-3 on the road at the Stadio Oreste Granillo. With that win they were able to snap a 2 match losing streak and put an end to a 4 match winless run which had seen them lose 3 times. They are in 6^th place of the Serie A table with 36 points. They sit 2 point behind 5^th place AC Milan and 2 ahead of 7^th place Sampdoria. Manager Marino has more than a few injury concerns this week as De Martino, Asamoah, Obodo and Mesto are all out while Colombian defender Zapata is doubtful. Pepe rounds out the list of players unavailable as he serves a suspension.

Genoa are in 10^th place of the league table with 29 points for the season. This leaves them 1 point behind Atalanta and 2 ahead of the fading Napoli as a result of the derby loss to Sampdoria by a score of 0-1 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Manager Gasperini will have to make due without two players this week as Wilson is injured and Danilo will be serving a one match suspension. Look for Il Grifone to go with a 3-4-3 formation- matching Udinese- with Sculli, Borriello and the Honduran international Leon in attack.

It’s hard to find a side with an edge in this match. Genoa have lost only 4 of 11 matches on the road this season while Udinese have dropped 3 of 11 at home. Neither side is setting Serie A on fire at this time in terms of their overall form, but Genoa could have a slight edge if Zapata is not able to start as he is crucial to the Udinese 3 man back line system. That could be the factor that tips this match in Genoa’s favor for their 4^th road win of the year.

Prediction: Genoa (1-2)