Napoli vs Udinese: prediction, head-to-head and probable line-ups — 24.05.2026
One of the fixtures of Serie A's 38th round will take place this Sunday at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, where the local side Napoli will host Udinese. Here’s our prediction for this clash: the hosts only need to avoid defeat to secure second place, but the visitors arrive hungry to finish the season in the top half of the table.
Match preview
Napoli have already handed the Scudetto over to Inter, but the season finale still has plenty at stake for Antonio Conte's side. The Neapolitans need just a single point to officially clinch the runner-up spot, and their emphatic 3-0 win over Pisa in the last round showed that they have no intention of coasting to the finish line.
It's been an up-and-down campaign: the Italian Super Cup remains their only trophy, while a Champions League flop left a painful mark on the season. Still, Napoli continue to impose their quality and status at home: despite two defeats in their last three home games, the team previously enjoyed a 26-match unbeaten run in Serie A on their own turf.
Udinese approach the final round without fear and with a sense of progress. Kosta Runjaić’s side can already consider this season a step forward: after a tense relegation escape in 2024, the Friulians are now chasing a top-10 finish and could even break the 50-point barrier for the first time since 2013.
However, consistency is still lacking: after victories that spark hope of a surge, the team is still prone to slip-ups against sides like Cremonese, as happened last round. But a 1-0 win over Napoli in the first half of the season gives Udinese extra confidence - they’ve already shown they can spoil the favorite’s night if the match plays to their tempo.
Probable line-ups
- Napoli: Milinković-Savić, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola, De Bruyne, Allison, Højlund.
- Udinese: Okoye, Kristensen, Kabasele, Solé, Ehizibue, Atta, Karlström, Piotrowski, Zemura, Gueye, Davis.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Napoli have won 12 and are unbeaten in their last 14 home matches against Udinese since 2011.
- Udinese beat Napoli 1-0 in the reverse fixture and could complete a league double over the Neapolitans for only the second time in their history.
- Napoli have suffered just one defeat in their last 19 Serie A games against Udinese.
Prediction
Napoli approach this fixture with a stronger squad, home advantage, and a clear objective: calmly secure the needed result without turning the final round into a nerve-wracking affair. Politano’s return from suspension adds options in attack, while Højlund’s form - one goal and two assists in his last two games - gives the hosts extra bite up front.
Udinese can be tricky opponents, especially if Atta once again finds space in transition, but the absences of Kamara, Ekkelenkamp, Zanoli, and Zaniolo limit their flexibility. Napoli have more quality, greater depth, and a historically comfortable record against this opponent on home soil.
