Udinese and Fiorentina have their hopes set on qualifying for Europe at the end of the Serie A season. So far, the Serie A rivals have started life well in 2022-23.
The Zebrette have four points from nine and go into Wednesday night’s matchday No. 4 fixture on the back of two straight matches without a defeat. Fiorentina have picked up five points from nine and are unbeaten this season.
Last time out, Fiorentina drew nil-nil with Napoli in an exciting fixture at home. La Viola had several chances to win the game, but also could have just as easily lost the match. Fiorentina have struggled for goals with three in three games, while two goals have been allowed.
Udinese, on the other hand, are coming off of a 2-1 away win against newly-promoted Monza. The victory came after a 4-2 loss to AC Milan on opening day and nil-nil draw with Salernitana on matchday No. 2.
Fiorentina went to the Stadio Friuli last season and won 1-0. Udinese returned the favour at the Stadio Artemio Franchi with a 4-0 victory.
Just two of the teams’ last two encounters ended in a win for Udinese. Over the course of the last 10 games in all competitions, Udinese posted a record of 2W-3D-5L. Eight of those 10 games ended with under 2.5 goals scored.
Udinese have been decent against Fiorentina in the teams’ last 46 matches in Udine. The Zebrette’s record over the course of those 46 games is 16W-17D-13L.
Andrea Sotill, coach of Udinese, will be without two players for the fixture. Defender Nehuen Perez is suspended while defender Leonardo Buta is ruled out with a tendon injury.
Fiorentina’s Vincenzo Italiano will be without key player Nico Gonzalez due to an injury. Meanwhile, Gaetano Castrovilli is recovering from knee surgery. Szymon Zurkowski is likely to miss out as is Alfred Duncan as both are suffering from injury and fitness issues.
Udinese should be able to frustrate Fiorentina in Udine. The Zebrette have record 17 draws in the teams’ last 46 matches at the Stadio Friuli, which is the most common match result between these Serie A rivals.
Wednesday’s match should finish in another stalemate between these sides with neither team able to find the back of the net. Fiorentina are coming off of back-to-back nil-nil draws in Serie A. Their goal scoring issues should continue versus Udinese.
Udinese failed to score in one of their last two matches in Serie A. The Zebrette are not in great goal scoring form either.