Udinese-Milan is a Serie A Week 27 match to be played on Saturday at 20:45: odds, predictions, TV and streaming.
Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan’s Champions League run has suffered two unexpected setbacks in the last few days, which seriously threaten to derail the Rossoneri train, at least as far as the league is concerned. First the defeat without appeal in Florence, then the disappointing draw with Salernitana at the San Siro did not allow the Italian champions to consolidate a place in the top four or to take advantage of the missteps of Inter and the two Romans, considering that none of them won a week ago.
The table now sees AC Milan in fourth place, but with Roma, who are only one point behind, breathing down their necks. On a day of direct confrontations – Inter host Juventus, Roma and Lazio will be engaged in the capital derby and will take points off each other – Hernandez and his team-mates cannot miss the appointment with the three points again. Pioli has sorted out the defence by switching to three at the back – the only match in which Milan have conceded more than one goal in the last month and a half was in Florence – but in the Udine trip he will demand something more from his attacking players, as his team are not doing brilliantly in the non-possession phase. Against the Granata on Monday, the Rossoneri gave the sensation of being content after Giroud’s lead, suddenly lowering the engine revs. Not comforting signals in view of the challenges that await the Diavolo in the coming weeks. One above all, the one with Napoli in the Champions League.
Udinese haven’t beaten AC Milan since 2019
Udinese are certainly not the team of the first matches of the first half of the season, who put a scare into AC Milan at the San Siro in their opening game last August. But Andrea Sottil’s men cannot be underestimated: among other things, they have just returned to winning ways, breaking a two-month drought with a 0-1 victory over Empoli, with Becao’s decisive goal.
Becao celebrated by teammates
After the exploits of August and September, the Friulians have only won three matches. However, they already have salvation in their pockets and can potentially still have their say in the fight for seventh place, which at the end of the championship could mean Europe. The Bianconeri have not lost for three games and in the last two (Atalanta and Empoli) they have kept their goal unbeaten. Milan are unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 matches against the Friulian outfit, whose last win against the Rossoneri was in 2019. However, there is a great balance in the last eight meetings played at the Dacia Arena: three wins each and two draws.
Udinese-Milan: latest lineup info
Sottil could dust off the 3-5-1-1, with Pereyra as a trequartista behind the only striker Beto. Success and Thauvin are ready to take over from the bench. In midfield, there will be the trio of Arslan, Walace and Lovric, the latter favoured over Samardzic. On the flanks Ehizibue and Udogie. Deulofeu, Masina and Ebosse are unavailable.
Milan’s attack will be without Giroud, who is disqualified. In the Rossoneri’s attack, Leao should therefore flank Ibrahimovic, who has recovered and is ready to start. Behind them, Brahim Diaz. On the right-hand lane Saelemaekers is in a duel with Calabria. Messias out. In the morning the cold shower of the nonconvocation of Theo Hernandez, who stayed at home due to a flu syndrome. Ballo-Touré takes his place.
The prediction
Udinese’s only victories since September have come on the road, while at home they are the team with the most draws alongside Spezia: seven in 12 games. Numbers that suggest a positive result for AC Milan, who after two disappointing performances need a fresh start in the league. A Rossoneri victory cannot be ruled out.
The probable formations of Udinese-Milan
- UDINESE (3-5-1-1): Silvestri; Becao, Bijol, Perez; Ehizibue, Arslan, Walace, Lovric, Udogie; Pereyra; Beto.
- MILAN (3-4-1-2): Maignan; Kalulu, Thiaw, Tomori; Saelemaekers, Tonali, Bennacer, Ballo-Touré; Brahim Diaz; Leao, Ibrahimovic.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-1
