Preview: Udinese vs. Juventus - prediction, team news, lineups

Juventus travel to Stadio Fruilli to face Udinese on Thursday evening knowing that victory will put the club on the brink of yet another Serie A title.

Meanwhile, the home side head into the contest aware that a surprise victory will prove enough to secure their top-flight status for another 12 months.

Match preview

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On the back of three matches without success, Juventus were under a certain level of pressure when taking on one of their title rivals on Monday evening.

However, a double from Cristiano Ronaldo, which took his return in Serie A this season to 30 goals from as many games, proved decisive as Juve registered a 2-1 victory over Lazio.

With four matches remaining, it leaves Maurizio Sarri's side with an eight-point advantage, effectively putting the likes of Inter Milan and Atalanta BC in a position where they will have to prevail in their remaining outings to stand any chance of denying Juventus a ninth successive crown.

Although Roma are still to visit Turin on the final day of the campaign, Sarri will hope to have already claimed his first-ever league crown before that game, adding to his Europa League triumph with Chelsea last season.

While speculation persists regarding his long-term future, the Italian technician can claim to have enjoyed a successful two years if Juventus get over the line, potentially as early as this week.

From Udinese's perspective, they are searching for the result which would ensure that they can stop having any concerns with regards to relegation.

Despite giving solid accounts of themselves against in-form Sampdoria, Lazio and Napoli, they ended that sequence with just one extra point to their name.

With a seven-point advantage and more favourable fixtures to come, Luca Gotti will remain confident that survival can be secured with minimal fuss.

However, as he looks to remain in the dugout past the end of this season, it may take a standout result against a team like Juventus to convince the club's owners not to make a change before the beginning of the next campaign.

Udinese Serie A form: WDWLDL

Juventus Serie A form: WWLDDW

Team News

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Despite the short turnaround, Sarri may make just two alterations to his side.

Although he featured for just 57 minutes on Monday night, Aaron Ramsey could drop down to the substitutes' bench with Blaise Matuidi coming into the team.

Daniele Rugani is also expected to slot into the middle of the backline due to Leonardo Bonucci serving a ban.

Having only lost at Napoli through a 94th-minute winner, Udinese boss Gotti could keep alterations down to a minimum.

As a result of a shoulder injury to Walace, Ken Sema may come into the team in the final third.

Lukasz Teodorczyk and Rolando Mandragora also remain absent through injury.

Udinese possible starting lineup: Musso; Becao, Maia, Nuytinck; Larsen, De Paul, Fofana, Zeegelaar; Sema, Nestorovski, Lasagna

Juventus possible starting lineup: Szczensy; Cuadrado, De Ligt, Rugani, Sandro; Bentancur, Matuidi, Rabiot; Costa, Dybala, Ronaldo

© Sports Mole / SM

We say: Udinese 0-3 Juventus

Having edged out Lazio earlier this week and with the goal of being confirmed as champions, we feel that Juventus are in the perfect mindset to put in a ruthless display against their struggling hosts.