Genoa will travel to the Stadio Friuli following their dramatic 1-0 victory over Juventus in midweek to play the Zebrette. Genoa will be looking to extend their unbeaten run while Udinese will try to get back on track and return to the top four of the Serie A table.
Genoa currently sit in ninth place with 15 points from nine matches. The Ligurian side are only one point behind Udinese who lost 3-0 to Fiorentina on Wednesday night. Prior to their loss to the Viola, Udinese were unbeaten in six of their previous seven.
These two teams played out a goal-fest last season at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, as Genoa came back from 3-1 to draw the Zebrette 3-3. Both teams will hope for better defensive performances this weekend.
Genoa still have injury concerns with midfielder Tomas Rincon. Since the Venezuelan went down with injury, Genoa’s midfield has lost much of its defensive bite. However, against Juventus, Leandro Greco showed a passing quality that had been missing for much of the season so far.
Udinese will be hoping for a better showing against the Grifone, especially in defence. Genoa have only score ten times this term, but have been solid at the back with Mattia Perin continually making outstanding saves.
Udinese coach Andrea Strammaccioni may favour the attacking partnership of Antonio Di Natale, Cyril Thereau and Panagiotis Kone. The Italian tactician will be without Spanish midfielder Abert Riera and goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic. The former has had a long-term hamstring injury while the latter is suffering from a back injury.
Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini may be in influenced to deploy 17-year-old Rolando Mandragora against the Zebrette. The youngster was thrust into the side against Udinese and silenced Paul Pogba for much of the game. A pairing of Mandragora and Greco could be used once more as it was the Grifone’s best midfield pairing of the season thus far.
Udinese has surprised many this season, but will need a win to continue their push for European football next season. At the same time, a win for Genoa could continue their rise as one of the league’s more exciting teams. However, the team’s inability to score winning goals before the 85th minute could hurt them.
Expected Starting XIs
Udinese: Karnezis, Widmer, Heurtaux, Danilo, Piris, Badu, Guilherme, Allan, Kone, Di Natale, Thereau
Genoa: Perin, Burdisso, De Maio, Marchese, Antonelli, Edenilson, Kucka, Greco, Bertolacci, Perotti, Matri
