Serie A | Gameweek 10

Oct 30, 2024 at 5.30pm UK

Stadio Pierluigi Penzo

Venezia vs Udinese

Match preview

Going into Sunday's clash with fellow strugglers Monza, the beleaguered Venetians had suffered five defeats in six games, confirming their status as relegation favourites.

Last season's Serie B play-off winners were hoping to pick up maximum points when Mikael Egill Ellertsson fired into the top corner on 15 minutes, but they twice allowed the hosts to come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw.

Even when Monza were reduced to 10 men, the Lagunari were unable to find a late winner, leaving them 19th in the standings with five points from nine games.

As well as being knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the first round in August, head coach Eusebio Di Francesco has managed just one league win since taking over following the departure of Paolo Vanoli to Torino in the summer.

Although that lone success came on home soil, Venezia have scored just twice in three games at the Stadio Penzo, putting the pressure on Di Francesco to turn things around in three games before the next international break.

So far this season, firepower has not been a problem for Udinese, whose 2-0 win over Cagliari on Friday night secured their place in the Serie A top seven.

Goals from strikers Lorenzo Lucca and Keinan Davis punished the Sardinian side, who were reduced to 10 men on the half-hour mark.

With 16 points, Udinese are level on points with Lazio, Atalanta BC and Fiorentina, and although it is still early days for the Bianconeri, they are well ahead of last season's relegation battle.

Head coach Kosta Runjaic inherited a team that was on the brink of relegation in May, but they are now six points clear of early pacesetters Napoli after nine rounds.

As well as five league wins, Runjaic's side have twice progressed to the Coppa Italia and set up a last-16 tie with Inter Milan in December, but there are still some tough tests to come against Juventus, Atalanta and Napoli.

Recent Performance

Venezia Serie A form:LWLLLD

Udinese Serie A form:WLLWLW

Udinese form (all competitions):LWLWLW

Team News

Eusebio Di Francesco's side were without both Marin Sverko and Bjarki Bjarkason against Monza, but the latter could be their only injury absentee for Wednesday's game.

Ahead of this weekend's clash with Inter, the hosts could make a number of changes in a rare midweek fixture, with Antonio Candela and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia among those pushing for a place off the bench.

However, top scorer Joel Pohjanpalo is likely to start again and will link up with Gaetano Oristanio and Gianluca Busio in the final third.

Meanwhile, Udinese's Italian striker Lorenzo Lucca has been touted as a January transfer target by several Serie A heavyweights after scoring four goals in the current campaign.

He could be partnered by Keinan Davis or Iker Bravo at the Stadio Penzo, while fellow strikers Alexis Sanchez (calf) and Florian Thauvin (hip) are in the treatment room, the latter with a chance of returning to the squad after a fine start to the season was cut short by injury.

Danish defender Thomas Kristensen is the only other Bianconeri absentee, leaving Runjaic with plenty of options should he decide to rotate his squad three days before the clash with Juventus.

Possible starting lineups

Venezia possible starting lineup:

Stankovic; Candela, Svoboda, Idzes; Zampano, Duncan, Nicolussi Caviglia, Ellertsson; Busio, Oristanio; Pohjanpalo

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Okoye; Kabasele, Bijol, Toure; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Zarraga, Zemura; Bravo, Lucca