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

Udinese play host to relegation rivals Genoa on Sunday afternoon looking to build on their victory over Roma earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Genoa make the trip to Stadium Friuli sitting in 17th position in the Serie A standings, five points adrift of their opponents.

Match preview

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Having gone nine games without a win in Serie A, Udinese boss Luca Gotti would have been starting to feel concerned about become embroiled in a relegation zone heading into the final quarter of the season.

While that is likely to remain the case, Thursday's excellent 2-0 victory away at Roma has created some breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone.

Goals from Kevin Lasagna and Ilija Nestorovski have moved Udinese up to 13th spot, six points above the drop zone, and Gotti will acknowledge that there is an opportunity to strengthen their position against their out-of-form opponents this weekend.

Gotti will feel that the long-awaited victory had been coming after performing so well against Atalanta BC last weekend, eventually succumbing to a 3-2 defeat against the fourth-placed team.

Nevertheless, only points will do at this stage of the season, and another maximum return on Sunday afternoon will put I Bianconeri on the brink of survival.

From Genoa's perspective, boss Davide Nicola must find a way to end a three-match winless streak which has been put together since the resumption.

Although his side gave a respectable account of themselves during their 3-1 defeat to Juventus, the result followed disappointing efforts against Parma and Brescia.

On a positive note, Il Grifone have a more favourable schedule than some of their rivals, with their home meetings with Inter Milan and Napoli representing their only games against top-six opposition.

However, despite having games against lower-end foes in the coming weeks, Nicola must first solve his issues at the back having witnessed Genoa concede nine goals in their last three matches.

Udinese Serie A form: DDDLLW

Genoa Serie A form: WLWLDL

Team News

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Udinese boss Gotti is expected to retain the same team which began the match in midweek.

That would see Stefano Okaka keep his place in attack, despite having only netted once in his last 10 appearances.

Genoa will be without midfielder Lasse Schone, who is serving a one-match suspension for five yellow cards.

Lukas Lerager could come back into the starting lineup, while Antonio Sanabria is also pushing for a recall to the team.

Udinese possible starting lineup: Musso; Maio, Troost-Ekong, Nuytinck; Larsen, De Paul, Walace, Fofana, Sema; Lasagna, Okaka

Genoa possible starting lineup: Perin; Romero, Soumaoro, Masiello; Biraschi, Lerager, Behrami, Sturaro, Barreca; Sanabria, Pinamonti

© Sports Mole / SM

We say: Udinese 1-1 Genoa

While both teams know how crucial a win could prove come the end of the season, they are also aware that avoiding defeat is equally important. With that in mind, we are backing the sides to play out a low-scoring draw this weekend.