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

Udinese host Salernitana at Bluenergy Stadium in gameweek 27 in Serie A, keen to end their winless run against the Granata on Saturday.

While both sides are battling for survival, the away side's more precarious position makes them near-dead certs to go down.

Match preview

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Udinese's three-game unbeaten run — five points from nine — had seen them create some separation from the teams at the bottom, but losing to Genoa last weekend halted that streak.

Having been put in a disadvantaged position by conceding twice in the closing minutes of the opening half, the Little Zebras were subsequently reduced to 10 men after Thomas Kristensen's sending-off three minutes after the interlude.

Gabriele Cioffi's men did well not to concede a third, and the defeat leaves them 15th in the standings, three points clear of 18th-placed Sassuolo.

They seek a return to winning ways this weekend, even if one home success in 13 attempts points to a broader inability to secure needed results in the relegation run-in, with the Friulians drawing eight at home — outdoing every side in Serie A.

Despite an unprecedentedly underwhelming season for Udinese — the Little Zebras have never picked up just 23 points at this stage of any season in the era of three points for a win — Cioffi's troops could move further clear of the bottom three if they win on Saturday and other results go their way.

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They should fancy themselves, especially against opponents who have lost seven of their last eight games in Serie A, with their only point a goalless encounter against Torino.

Filippo Inzaghi was jettisoned before facing his brother Simone, with Fabio Liverani replacing the former AC Milan striker, but that change has not brought about the desired bounce.

While reports in Italy have linked the Granata to return to the man they sacked on February 11, that move has not materialised at the time of writing, and Liverani should lead the team out on Saturday.

Despite their broader struggles this season, Salernitana head into this weekend's fixture without a loss in three against Udinese and have secured four points from six on their previous visits to Udine.

It remains to be seen if that pattern continues this weekend, but the Salerno-based club must secure points if they hope to reduce the current seven-point deficit in the survival race.

Team News

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Kristensen is suspended after last weekend's dismissal at Genoa, but Vivaldo (thigh) and Jaka Bijol (ankle) are doubtful.

However, Enzo Ebosse and Gerard Deulofeu are certainly ruled out due to knee injuries.

While Niccolo Pierozzi and Federico Fazio are doubtful due to muscle injuries, Lorenzo Pirola and Norbert Gyomber's similar issues mean they are absent this weekend.

Shon Weissman has netted Salernitana's only goal in 360 minutes of football, and the forward should lead the goal-shy attack again this weekend.

Udinese possible starting lineup: Okoye; Ferreira, Giannetti, Perez; Ehizibue, Samardzic, Walace, Lovric, Zemura; Pereyra; Lucca

Salernitana possible starting lineup: Ochoa; Boateng, Manolas, Pellegrino; Zanioli, Basic, Coulibaly, Bradaric; Candreva, Kastanos; Weissman

We say: Udinese 1-1 Salernitana

Udinese are more likely to get a ninth home draw than to secure only their second win at the Friuli, meaning Salernitana could extend their unbeaten run in this fixture to four.

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