Serie A | Gameweek 37

May 18, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Allianz Stadium

Juventus vs Udinese

Match preview

With only two rounds remaining, four teams are still within two points of fourth place in Serie A. Juventus are in the lead as the incredibly tight race reaches its final bend.

As things stand, Juve are in fourth place with 64 points, level with Lazio. Roma are in sixth place with 63 points, while Coppa Italia winners Bologna are in seventh place with 62 points.

The fallen giants could have gone into the penultimate matchday with a three-point advantage, but Pierre Kalulu's red card against direct rivals Lazio last week proved costly. Randal Kolo Muani's goal had put the Bianconeri on track for a 1–0 win at the Stadio Olimpico, but his French compatriot was later sent off and the home side netted a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time.

This frustrated Juve's fans further, as their tally of 16 league draws this season is just one short of their all-time record, set in the 1955–56 season.

Nevertheless, they have won seven of their last eight Serie A home games — after drawing seven of the previous nine — and interim head coach Igor Tudor boasts a perfect record in Turin.

Only two Juventus managers have won all of their first four home fixtures in the last 50 years: Max Allegri in 2014 and Maurizio Sarri in 2019. However, Tudor could join their ranks on Sunday.

Juve have won 12 of their last 15 league games against Udinese, scoring an average of 2.3 goals in the process. History therefore suggests that Tudor's team could take a step closer to securing a place in the Champions League.

In fact, Udinese have only scored once in their last six meetings with their fellow Bianconeri, suffering five defeats in the process.

The most recent defeat was a 2-0 loss at home in November, though they did win 1-0 at the Allianz Stadium on their last visit in February last year.

Kosta Runjaic has led his side to safety with several weeks to spare — a far cry from last term's desperate final-day escape — so the pressure has been off for some time now and they are drifting towards the end of the season.

Last weekend, top scorer Lorenzo Lucca finally ended his long goal drought, but the Friulani still lost 2-1 to Serie B-bound Monza after conceding in the 90^(th) minute.

This effectively ended their hopes of finishing in the top half of the table, as Como, who are now Italy's form side, are four points ahead with just two games to play.

Interestingly, Udinese have won their final away match in five of the past seven years and have scored in all of the last 24, so they will be aiming to continue this trend before concluding a successful season with a home match against Fiorentina.

Recent Performance

Juventus Serie A form:DWLWDD

Udinese Serie A form:LLLDWL

Team News

Juventus face a defensive dilemma as Lloyd Kelly, Andrea Cambiaso and Federico Gatti are not fully fit, while Bremer and Juan Cabal, who suffered ACL injuries, have been sidelined for several months.

Furthermore, Igor Tudor will have to manage without Pierre Kalulu, who has been handed a two-match ban following his red card for violent conduct against Lazio, and Nicolo Savona, who is also suspended.

Consequently, captain Manuel Locatelli may have to drop back from midfield, where Juve will also be missing Khephren Thuram due to suspension.

On a more positive note, Kenan Yildiz is now available, and top scorer Dusan Vlahovic, who returned from a layoff last week, could be promoted from the bench — though Randal Kolo Muani is hoping to keep his place up front.

Despite a recent scoring drought, he has still found the net seven times in Serie A since making his Juve debut in January, and only Capocannoniere favourite Mateo Retegui (10) has scored more during that time.

Another mid-season signing, Udinese's Oumar Solet, has completed the most dribbles (24) and won possession the second most times of any Serie A defender this calendar year. He is expected to start alongside Thomas Kristensen and Christian Kabasele, as Jaka Bijol is injured.

Like their hosts, the Friulani are missing players for disciplinary reasons, with star striker Lorenzo Lucca and French midfielder Arthur Atta both sitting out the match.

Lucca's usual strike partner, Florian Thauvin, is still struggling with a foot injury, so Keinan Davis may have to play alone up front.

Possible starting lineup

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Di Gregorio; Gatti, Locatelli, Veiga; Weah, Luiz, McKennie, Cambiaso; Gonzalez, Yildiz; Kolo Muani

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Okoye; Kristensen, Kabasele, Solet; Ehizibue, Zarraga, Karlstrom, Lovric, Kamara; Ekkelenkamp; Davis