Inter Milan are targeting a return to winning ways as they travel to Udinese for a Serie A clash on Saturday. Udinese have shown enough quality this season to make things difficult but the champions have a great record in this fixture and should have the slight edge.
Udinese have been one of the surprise teams in Serie A this season as they are challenging near the top of the table having won three of their five matches. However, their one defeat came last time out as they were beaten 3-0 at Roma.
The good news for manager Kosta Runjaic is that Udinese made a swift return to winning ways in the Coppa Italia. They claimed a 3-1 victory over Serie B side Salernitana on Wednesday to progress to the next round.
One similarity between Inter Milan and Udinese is that the Nerazzurri have also lost just once this season. That defeat came in their previous Serie A fixture as they were beaten 21 by rivals AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina.
It has not been the best start to the title defence for Inter Milan this season as they have picked up just two wins from five Serie A matches. A number of key players have been well below their best and manager Simone Inzaghi will be demanding some improvement from his team.
How the bookies view it: Inter have the advantage
Despite their underwhelming showings, Inter Milan are still considered favourites among the bookies at 1/2 with Betfred. A victory for Udinese is valued at 11/2 by Betfred, who is also offering odds of 16/5 for a draw.
Recent head to head: Dominant Nerazzurri
Inter Milan have dominated this fixture in recent times, winning six of the last seven matches against Udinese. The Nerazzurri did the double last season, running out 4-0 winners at home before claiming a.2-1 victory at Bluenergy Stadium.
Players to watch: Keep an eye on Thuram
Marcus Thuram has been one of the few shining lights for Inter Milan this season, scoring four goals in five Serie A matches. The French forward will be the one to watch and is priced at 6/4 with Betfred to get on the score sheet.
Udinese can also hold their own going forward and will look to Lorenzo Lucca, who has two Serie A goals this season. The forward was also on target in the Coppa Italia and is priced at 7/2 by Betfred to get on the score sheet.
Probable line-up
Alexis Sanchez and Gérard Deulofeu remain long-term injury absentees for Udinese while Lautaro Gianetti is also sidelined at the moment. Midfielder Jurgen Ekkelenkamp could be pushing for a start following a goal off the bench in midweek while goalkeeper Maduka Okoye should return in goal after sitting out the win over Salernitana.
Midfielder Nicolo Barella is likely to miss out for Inter Milan through injury and could be replaced by Piotr Zielinski. Matteo Darmian could also earn a start after coming off the bench last time out while Thuram and Lautaro Martinez are expected to continue in attack.
Udinese: Okoye, Kabasele, Bijol, Kristensen, Ehizibue, Lovric, Ekkelenkamp, Kamara, Thauvin, Lucca, Brenner
Inter Milan: Sommer, Bastoni, Acerbi, Pavard, Darmian, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Dimarco, Martinez, Thuram
Anything else catch the eye?
Udinese and Inter Milan have quality in attack and given their defensive vulnerabilities, both teams could be backed to score at 5/6 with Betfred. Over 2.5 goals could also be considered at 8/11 with Betfred, who is also offering odds of 7/4 for over 3.5 goals.
Given the minimal odds for a straight Inter Milan victory, a win and both teams to score could be considered at 11/5 with Betfred.
This Serie A match between Udinese and Inter Milan will be played on Sep 28, 2024 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Udinese vs Inter Milan prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
