Udinese vs Napoli: can Udinese end their poor run and pull off a shock?
On Sunday, December 14, we will witness a Matchday 15 fixture in Italy’s Serie A, as Udinese host Napoli. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 CET, and I am offering a betting pick for this encounter.
Udinese vs Napoli: match facts and H2H
- Udinese have lost three of their last four matches.
- Napoli have won five of their last six matches.
- In eight of Napoli’s most recent away games, they have won only twice and lost six.
- Udinese have the third-worst defence in Serie A, conceding 22 goals.
- Udinese and Napoli have each kept clean sheets in 24% of their matches this season.
- Napoli have lost fewer matches without scoring in this campaign: 19% compared to Udinese’s 24%.
- In 33% of their matches this season, Napoli have scored in both halves.
- Napoli and Udinese played out a 1–1 draw in their last meeting.
Udinese vs Napoli: match preview
Udinese are currently positioned in mid-table in Serie A. After 14 rounds, the team have collected 18 points and sit 11th in the standings. They are placed exactly in the middle of the table, eight points clear of the relegation zone and six points adrift of sixth place. However, Udinese have suffered defeats in their last two matches, losing first to Juventus 0–2 and then 1–2 to Udinese. On home soil, the team have been beaten twice.
Napoli sit higher in the table and are firmly involved in the title race. After 14 matches this season, the Neapolitans have amassed 31 points. They trail the league leaders only on additional criteria. The congestion at the top of the table is significant. Napoli are just one point ahead of the third-placed side and four clear of fourth. In the previous Serie A round, Napoli defeated Juventus 2–1, but in midweek, Antonio Conte’s side suffered a 0–2 defeat to Benfica.
Probable line-ups
- Udinese: Okoye; Bertola, Kabasele, Solet; Zanoli, Ekkelenkamp, Karlstrom, Piotrowski, Modesto; Zaniolo, Davis
- Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Di Lorenzo, McTominay, Elmas, Spinazzola; Politano, Neres; Hojlund
Prediction
Napoli currently sit in second place and will be eager to bounce back after their defeat in the UEFA Champions League. I believe Conte’s side can continue their winning run in the league, and that is the bet I am recommending.
