This Saturday will see Udinese and Venezia face each other for the 12th time in Serie A, with a completely even head-to-head record so far - four wins each and three draws. The last match between the two teams ended with a victory for Venezia at the Penzo (3-2 on 30 October), but at Bluenergy Stadium the Friulians are unbeaten against the Venetians, recording two draws and three wins, including one in the last meeting in Udine (3-0 on 27 August 2021). In addition, on three of five occasions Udinese have kept a clean sheet at home against Venezia.
If Udinese were to win they would secure their first victory of 2025 and avoid recording their longest winless streak under coach Kosta Runjaic. His side are yet to score a header this calendar year, something which had been a hallmark of this Udinese team so far in Serie A 2024/25. Only Atalanta and Inter have scored more than Udinese’s eight headed goals this term. The Nerazzurri are also the only team to have scored more goals than Udinese from corners, but the Zebrette do better than anyone in percentage terms: six goals out of 25, making it 24%. Interestingly, Venezia are the team to have recorded the highest percentage of goals from set pieces in Serie A - 55%. Both sides also share a record: they are the teams which have had the most penalties awarded against them (8) and have conceded the most goals from the spot (7).
Lorenzo Lucca got on the scoresheet in his last match against Roma. This brings his total to eight goals this campaign, the same number he recorded across the whole of 2023/24 in Serie A. Since making his debut in the top division Lucca has scored 16 goals without ever taking a penalty, bettered only by Marcus Thuram. The Italian forward has scored ten goals at home - only Mateo Retegui and Riccardo Orsolini have struck more in the last two seasons. If he were to score against Venezia, Lucca would have found the net in three home games in a row, something he hasn’t done since December 2023. His team-mate Florian Thauvin has also already reached last season’s total of goals (5), and if he were to provide an assist he could reach the milestone of 50 assists in the top five European leagues. The Frenchman holds the record of being the forward to have attempted the most passes in the final third of the pitch so far in this Serie A season – 83.
If he were to see some action, Jordan Zemura would break the 50 appearance barrier for Udinese, while last weekend Simone Pafundi became the youngest player in Serie A to play at least one match in each of the last four seasons. Jaka Bijol sits in third place for the following two statistics: the Slovenian defender is behind only Yerry Mina and Ardian Ismajli for defensive headers made (53) and shots blocked (10). Finally, in the first meeting between Udinese and Venezia this season both Sandi Lovric and Iker Bravo scored their last goals for Udinese, the latter also providing the assist for his team-mate. These were the only two times the Spaniard has had goal involvements so far this season.