The Serie A title race continues to gather pace on Saturday evening, as Udinese host leaders Inter Milan at the Bluenergy Stadium, with the visitors eager to strengthen their grip on top spot while settling a score from earlier in the campaign.
Inter arrive in Friuli knowing that victory would further consolidate their advantage over reigning champions Napoli and city rivals AC Milan, while also avenging one of the few blemishes on an otherwise commanding league season so far.
After winning seven of their last eight Serie A matches, Inter have surged to the summit, most recently edging past Lecce 1-0 in midweek. With Napoli slipping again on Wednesday evening, Inter took full advantage despite rotating heavily.
It was not a vintage display at San Siro, with the breakthrough only arriving late on, but the result extended Cristian Chivu’s side’s unbeaten league run to eight matches (W7, D1) and delivered yet another clean sheet.
Balancing domestic ambitions with an upcoming UEFA Champions League clash against Arsenal is now Chivu’s challenge, though Inter’s away form offers reassurance.
They have won each of their last five league games on the road, their longest such run since a sequence of eight between September 2024 and January 2025.
Back in August, the Bianconeri stunned the Nerazzurri at San Siro, ending a run of six straight losses in the fixture with a shock 2-1 victory.
That reverse remains a clear motivator for Inter, who will aim to extend their away-winning streak while ensuring they remain clear at the top of the table.
Udinese’s campaign has largely settled into mid-table stability, but inconsistency has halted any genuine push towards the European places.
A 2-2 draw at home to relegation-threatened Pisa last weekend typified their season, surrendering a half-time lead for just the second time in Serie A action this term.
With 11 points taken from their last 10 league matches (W3, D2, L5), Kosta Runjaic’s men sit 10th after 20 games, comfortably clear of danger but lacking momentum.
That said, Udinese have shown flashes of resilience on home soil, drawing their last two league matches despite conceding first, while notable 1-0 victories over Napoli and Atalanta since November underline their capacity to frustrate elite opposition.
How the bookies view it: Inter strong favourites
Bookmakers expect the league leaders to get their revenge. Ladbrokes price Inter at 4/9, reflecting their dominance and away form, while Udinese are outsiders at 6/1. The draw is available at 18/5, suggesting the hosts will need another near-perfect display to repeat August’s upset.
Recent head-to-head: Udinese chasing rare double
Udinese’s win in the reverse fixture was their first against Inter in over a decade, and they have not completed a Serie A double over the Nerazzurri since the 2012-13 season. History, therefore, firmly favours Inter, particularly away from home.
Players to watch: Keinan Davis and Marcus Thuram look poised for contributions
Keinan Davis could again be Udinese’s key outlet, with three of his last four goals having come at home, earning the Friulians five crucial points, and he also opened the scoring in the reverse fixture.
For Inter, Marcus Thuram’s influence may come later in the contest, with four of his last five league goals having arrived after the hour mark, highlighting his impact as games wear on.
Probable line-ups
Udinese are without suspended Nicolo Zaniolo and injured Adam Buksa, though Vakoun Bayo returns from Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Inter Milan will rotate again after midweek changes, with Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco set to return. Hakan Calhanoglu remains sidelined alongside Josep Martinez and Denzel Dumfries.
Udinese: Okoye; Kristensen, Kabasele, Solet; Zanoli, Piotrowski, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Kamara; Atta; Davis
Inter Milan: Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco; Martinez, Esposito
Anything else that catches the eye?
Twelve of Udinese’s 20 league matches this season saw both teams score, while they have scored exactly once in four of their last six home games, and Inter have netted two or more goals in 10 of their last 14 away league games, making BTTS looking juicy.
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