28 November 2024
28 November 2024

Udinese v Genoa preview

Runjaic’s side hope to continue positive home form

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Udinese are set to take on Genoa on Sunday in Serie A for the 59th time in Serie A. The head-to-head record is quite even, with Udinese leading with 20 wins compared to Genoa’s 18, alongside 20 draws. Before losing their last encounter (2-0 at the Stadio Ferraris in February), Udinese had gone 13 games’ unbeaten against Genoa and remain undefeated in the last eight matches played in Udine. Additionally, in the last 14 meetings between the two teams at Bluenergy Stadium, Udinese have kept a clean sheet on nine occasions.
 
This season, Udinese have been building their success at home, where they have earned 71% of their points so far, recording clean sheets in three of their six matches. If they manage a fourth clean sheet in their first seven home games, it would be their best start since the 2019/20 season. Sunday’s game at Bluenergy Stadium will feature two of Serie A’s most clinical teams, with both Udinese and Genoa level in fourth place in the league for converting clear goalscoring opportunities (47%).
 
Thanks to Keinan Davis’ goal at Empoli, Udinese now lead Serie A in terms of headed goals (six) and rank second for goals scored from corners (four). Notably, they have yet to concede a headed goal this season. Kosta Runjaic’s side rank second in Serie A for crosses attempted (205 along with Inter, behind only Lazio) and the percentage of successful crosses (27%). They sit in third place for dribbles attempted, with 207, trailing only Milan (214) and Napoli (209).
 
In the fixture between Udinese and Genoa at Bluenergy Stadium last October, Lorenzo Lucca netted his first Serie A goal. This Sunday, Hassane Kamara could make his 50th league appearance, all of which have been for Udinese. At Empoli, Sandi Lovric surpassed the ten-assist mark for Udinese, more than any other player since his arrival in Friuli. Meanwhile, Davis has brought his team-mates into play with first-time touches on 20 occasions this season, with only Romelu Lukaku, Artem Dovbyk and Lautaro Martinez registering more. Jaka Bijol will miss the match against Genoa due to suspension. Should Maduka Okoye play the entire match, the Nigerian goalkeeper will remain the only Udinese player to have played every minute of this season.