Juventus welcome Udinese to the Allianz Stadium for a midweek Serie A fixture. The Turin club are looking to snap out of a recent slump, while the visitors are showing flashes of quality at the moment.
Juventus have been on a downward spiral in recent weeks, having failed to win their last eight matches in all competitions. The last three fixtures on this run have ended in defeat, including a 1-0 loss at Lazio last weekend.
Having been on the road in their last three matches, Juventus are back at the Allianz Stadium and will be hoping for a boost from the home fans. However, their last three home matches have ended in draws, and the Turin club must now proceed without manager Igor Tudor, who has been sacked.
Udinese were victorious in their last Serie A fixture, earning a 3-2 home win over Lecce. They were made to work hard for the win, with goals from Jesper Karlstrom, Keinan Davis, and Adam Buksa earning them all three points.
That result is part of a solid run for Udinese, who are unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions. Kosta Runjaic's team have also earned two wins and a draw in their last four away matches.
How the bookies view it: Juventus overwhelming favourites
Despite the recent struggles, Juventus are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies, with a home win priced at 2/5 by BOYLE Sports. A victory for Udinese is valued at 6/1 while a draw is set at odds of 16/5.
Head to head: Superior Old Lady
Juventus have a 31-7 advantage, with five draws in the last 43 matches against Udinese. The Turin club claimed 2-0 victories in both meetings last season.
Players to watch: Eyes on Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic remains the major goal threat for Juventus and will be keen to add to his two Serie A strikes this season. The forward scored in last season’s home clash and will be the one to watch (Dusan Vlahovic anytime goalscorer – priced at 5/4 on BOYLE Sports).
Davis is enjoying a productive campaign for Udinese, having scored three Serie A goals this season. The striker could be worth keeping an eye on (Keinan Davis anytime goalscorer – valued at odds of 4/1).
Probable line-ups:
Bremer, Juan Cabal and Arkadiusz Milik remain long-term injury absentees for Juventus and will miss Wednesday's clash. Kenan Yildiz was a second-half substitute at Lazio and should earn a start here while Kephren Thuram is set to return to the midfield.
Thomas Kristensen is the only absentee for Udinese, with the defender nursing a hamstring injury. Davis should lead the line once again, while Christian Kabasele is set to continue at the back.
Juventus: Di Gregorio, Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly, Mario, Thuram, McKennie, Cambiaso, Conceicao, Yildiz, Vlahovic.
Udinese: Okoye, Goglichidze, Kabasele, Soler, Zanoli, Ekkelenkamp, Karlstrom, Atta, Kamara, Zaniolo, Davis.
Anything else catch the eye?
There have been goals in both halves in Udinese’s last five matches (Goal in each half – available at 4/5 on BOYLE Sports). Both teams have scored in those five fixtures (BTTS YES – offered at odds of 21/20).
Three of Udinese's last five matches have produced over 2.5 goals – priced at 20/23.
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