Udinese and Genoa will face off for the 57th time in Serie A on Sunday. The former have the edge over their Ligurian rivals, winning 19 of the previous fixtures and losing 17, drawing the remaining 20. That advantage has been built up in the last 12 matches against the Rossoblù, which have brought six wins and as many draws. It is Udinese's longest unbeaten streak against a single opponent in the topflight.
The last encounter between the teams dates back to 22 January 2022 at the Ferraris, which ended 0-0. In Friuli, the hosts have won four of their last six matches (two draws), recording five clean sheets and conceding just two goals. Genoa meanwhile have struggled on the road in recent times, losing six of their last seven away games in Serie A, scoring just one goal. That goal was however a decisive one in a big win over Lazio.
Udinese, as reiterated by coach Andrea Sottil, must be more clinical in front of goal. The team have scored only twice this season and, in the five major European leagues, only Chelsea have underperformed their expected goals (-6.6 xG) more than the Friulans (-5 xG). The opponents, on the other hand, are the most clinical side in Serie A, with a 20% conversion percentage.
The contributions of Florian Thauvin and Sandi Lovric, two of the three players to have taken the most shots without scoring, 18 and 13 respectively, will therefore be needed. Lazar Samardzic, scorer of both Bianconeri goals this season, is called upon to repeat the half-hour performance in Naples. The Serbian is the youngest player in the league to have been involved in at least 15 goals since his arrival in Italy, with nine goals and six assists.