Two sides who have failed to impress since action resumed in Italy after the World Cup are set to meet here with Udinese heading to the Luigi Ferraris Stadium where Sampdoria are back down in 19th after another winless run.
Although it was only three weeks ago, it feels like a lifetime has gone by since Sampdoria defeated Sassuolo to give them great hope of finally edging out of the relegation zone.
🏃♂️ | TRAININGGym work and tactics ahead of #SampUdinese#FORZADORIA 🔵⚪🔴⚫⚪🔵— Sampdoria English (@sampdoria_en) January 19, 2023
🏃♂️ | TRAININGGym work and tactics ahead of #SampUdinese#FORZADORIA 🔵⚪🔴⚫⚪🔵
It was just their second win in Serie A this season from 18 games, as Manolo Gabbiadini netted another goal just before Tommaso Augello scored as well. Both goals came within three minutes of one another in the first half at the Mapei Stadium.
Sampdoria have since gone on to lose three in a row after a home loss to Napoli where Tomas Rincon was sent off.
He can now return to action, but Jeison Murillo was also sent off against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia round of 16 defeat.
Another loss to Empoli came last weekend for Dejan Stanković's men who remain in 19th as a result and have now created another seven-point gap on Sassuolo in 17th in the safe zone of Serie A.
As for Udinese, their form has decreased significantly over the past few months and their dreams of a return to Europe have diminished greatly.
The club now sit in eighth and seven points behind Atalanta in the Europa Conference League spot and behind Inter Milan by 12 points in the Champions League position of fourth.
The Udine outfit are yet to win a game since action resumed in Italy, drawing with Empoli on their return to competitive games before a 1-0 loss to Juventus and a 2-1 defeat against Bologna.
Udinese have now only won six times in the league and considering four of those games came within the first eight fixtures, it means just two wins in the last 10 for the club inside Serie A.
Given the topsy-turvy form of both sides in Italy this season and how they have started since action resumed on the domestic scene, it is a tough game to predict.
Neither side has put together any sort of consistency while this game has become vital for Udinese getting their European dream back on track and Sampdoria for their own relegation battle.
Forebet predicts a win here for Udinese, however, and for the game to see under 2.5 goals. This will also be Udinese's first win away from the Dacia Arena in many months.