The target for Napoli will be to snap out of a rough patch as they travel to the Bluenergy Stadium for an Italian Serie A fixture on Saturday. The visitors have done some good work on their travels this season and should have the upper hand over the hosts, who have struggled lately.
Udinese head into Saturday’s clash off the back of a 2-1 victory at Monza in their previous Serie A fixture. That was a vital result for Kosta Runjaic’ s men, who were winless in their previous five matches, suffering four defeats in that run.
Things have also been difficult at home for Udinese, who have lost three of their last five matches at the Bluenergy Stadium. They have also struggled in attack, failing to score in their last two fixtures in front of their fans.
Napoli have also looked off colour lately, losing their last two matches across all competitions. Both defeats came against Lazio as they lost 3-1 in the Coppa Italia before a 1-0 Serie A defeat last weekend.
The good news for Napoli is that they are still solid on their travels and are unbeaten in their last six away matches, claiming four wins in that run. A key part of that run is their defensive solidity as Antonio Conte ‘s men have kept five clean sheets in their last six Serie A fixtures on the road.
How the bookies view it: Napoli overwhelming favourites
Napoli have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 7/10 by BoyleSports to claim the win. Udinese are considered outsiders, with a home win valued at 15/4 by BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 5/2 for a draw.
Head to head: Neapolitans on top
Napoli are unbeaten in the last nine matches against Udinese, claiming seven wins in that run. Napoli won 4-1 at home last season before playing out a 1-1 draw at the Bluenergy Stadium.
Players to watch: Solid Napoli backline
Napoli’s defence has caught the eye on their travels, keeping five clean sheets in their last six Serie A away matches. Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno are the preferred central defensive partners and can lead the visitors to a clean sheet at 11/10 by BoyleSports.
At the other end of the pitch, Romelu Lukaku will be the one to watch for Napoli. The striker has five Serie A goals this season and is priced at 13/8 by BoyleSports to get on the score sheet.
Probable line-ups
Udinese will be without goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who has undergone surgery on a wrist injury. He should be replaced by Razvan Sava while Lorenzo Lucca and Florian Thauvin should continue in attack.
Napoli are without Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is sidelined with a knee injury. He is likely to be replaced by David Neres, who should start in attack alongside Lukaku while Rrhamani and Buongiorno should continue their partnership at the back.
Udinese: Sava, Ehizibue, Bijol, Gianetti, Zemura, Zarraga, Lovric, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Thauvin, Lucca
Napoli: Meret, Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Rrahmani, Olivera, McTominay, Lobotka, Anguissa, Neres, Lukaku, Politano
Anything else catch the eye?
Given Napoli's defensive record on their travels and with Udinese struggling for goals at home, BTTS NO could be on the cards at 8/11 with BoyleSports. With Napoli missing the quality and creativity of Kvaratskhelia, Saturday’s clash could be set to produce under 2.5 goals at 4/6 with BoyleSports.
Napoli are still expected to come out on top and could be backed to earn a win to nil at 13/8 by BoyleSports.
This Serie A match between Udinese and Napoli will be played on Dec 14, 2024 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Udinese vs Napoli prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
