Both teams will be aiming to put an end to lengthy winless streaks in Serie A when Udinese host Spezia on Sunday.
The visitors head into the weekend only two points clear of the relegation zone, while Udinese are clinging onto a top half position.
Match preview
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Indeed, after going on a six-match winning streak in Serie A between late August and early October, Udinese have since won only won of their last 15 league matches.
Andrea Sottil's side succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to Inter Milan at San Siro last weekend, with late strikes from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lautaro Martinez earning their side all three points after Romelu Lukaku and Sandi Lovric had exchanged blows during the first half.
The defeat was I Bianconeri's fourth in their last five away matches, while they have not won at Stadio Friuli since beating Inter in the reverse fixture by the same scoreline in mid-September. Five of their last seven home matches have ended as draws.
As such, Sottil will be desperate to make the most of an excellent opportunity to return to winning ways against a side in even worse form than they are when Spezia arrive in Udine on Sunday.
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However, Spezia could be buoyed by the managerial appointment of Leonardo Semplici made earlier this week on Thursday, with the former SPAL boss boasting plenty of pedigree in terms of keeping unfancied sides in Serie A.
The 55-year-old guided SPAL to their first promotion from Serie B in 47 years in 2017, keeping them in the top flight against all odds in the following season. Semplici subsequently saved Cagliari from relegation after taking over in February 2021 when they were in the bottom three.
Spezia certainly need all the help they can get having collected just one point from their last five matches, with Roma, Napoli and Juventus all recently leaving Stadio Alberto Picco with clean sheets and maximum points in the process.
Aquilotti have only scored six goals on their travels this season, too, suggesting Semplici has a tough task in terms of turning things around. He has done it before, though, and will fully believe that he can do it again, especially as his new club possess some margin for error.
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Udinese are likely to remain without Gerard Deulofeu, Nehuen Perez and Ilija Nestorovski through injury, while Enzo Ebosse's season came to an end after suffering an ACL injury against Inter last weekend.
Sottil could be short of central defensive options after Jaka Bijol received his fifth caution of the season at San Siro, meaning he will miss Sunday's match through suspension. Full-backs Adam Masina and Festy Ebosele may be asked to fill in the heart of the hosts' defence.
Spezia, meanwhile, will travel without Emil Holm, Simone Bastoni, Szymon Zurkowski, Jeroen Zoet and Jacopo Sala due to injury, while Salvatore Esposito is still suspended after his recent dismissal against Empoli.
There will be plenty of interest regarding Semplici's first teamsheet after only taking charge three days prior to this match, with the former Cagliari boss likely to play things safe by retaining a similar XI to the one beaten by Juventus last time out.
Udinese possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Ebosele, Becao, Masina; Ehizibue, Pereyra, Walace, Lovric, Udogie; Thauvin, Beto
Spezia possible starting lineup:
Dragowski; Amian, Ampadu, Nikolaou, Reca; Bourabia, Ekdal; Verde, Agudelo, Gyasi; Shomurodov
We say: Udinese 1-1 Spezia
With both teams struggling for wins in recent times, we can envisage a share of the spoils between two sides lacking confidence at present.
Udinese have drawn five of their last seven matches at home, while Spezia are likely to be desperate to impress their new manager by avoiding defeat.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Brett Curtis
