In the early game of the thirty-first matchday, two teams that apparently no longer have realistic objectives, having already secured their safety, will face each other: Genoa and Udinese. The Friulians have now reached the fateful 40-point mark a few weeks ago, but they are too far from the European zone to be able to think about raising their ambitions.
The rossoblù have 5 points less than the bianconeri: however, they don’t risk being sucked into the relegation battle, given the very wide gap between them and the third from bottom team (+12).
Coach Patrick Vieira – one of the surprises of this championship, if we remember the enormous skepticism surrounding him when he took over from Alberto Gilardino in the fall – has the difficult task of finding new motivation for a Genoa team that in any case doesn’t seem to have any intention of throwing in the towel. Last Saturday, despite losing 1-0, the Grifone made Juventus sweat at the Allianz Stadium, playing with great personality and confirming that they are very solid at the back: in the last seven games, no one has scored more than one goal against them. Last weekend Udinese also lost at a big team’s home ground: Kosta Runjaic’s men were unable to take points from San Siro against a makeshift Inter side, losing 2-1 to the Nerazzurri, who are very much in the running for the Scudetto. For the Friuli-based team it was the second defeat in a row after the one – certainly more difficult to justify – against Verona before the international break.
Genoa-Udinese: the latest news on the line-ups
Vieira has to deal with numerous absences: Cornet, Messias and Cuenca will not be playing against Udinese, while Bani and Vitinha are very doubtful. On the right, in defense, Sabelli and Norton-Cuffy are vying for a place in the starting eleven, while in midfield the ballot is between Masini and Badelj. In the attacking third Malinovskyi supports the lone striker Pinamonti.
The Udinese infirmary is also crowded: Zemura has also been injured and will not even travel to Genoa. Sanchez, Sava and Touré are also absent. Runjaic’s big doubt, however, concerns Thauvin: the Frenchman is not yet at his best and should miss this one too. Davis is unlikely to start, as he doesn’t yet have 90 minutes in his legs: Iker Bravo’s odds are rising.
Odds comparison
The “Under 2.5” odds are 1.50 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai. The draw is 3.00 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai.
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The prediction
Genoa haven’t lost to Udinese since 2020 and the Friulians’ last victory at Marassi dates back to 2019. The Grifone’s unbeaten run could continue, considering that the “Ferraris” has become a real fortress: four wins and a draw in the last five home games for Vieira’s men, who have conceded only two goals in this streak. Therefore, the “Under 2.5” sign should also be considered, as it has occurred six times in the last seven previous matches.
The probable line-ups for Genoa-Udinese
GENOA (4-2-3-1): Leali; Sabelli, De Winter, Vasquez, Martin; Frendrup, Masini; Zanoli, Malinovskyi, Miretti; Pinamonti.
UDINESE (3-5-2): Okoye; Kristensen, Bijol, Solet; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlström, Ekkelenkamp, Kamara; Bravo, Lucca.