Spezia vs Udinese – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | Serie A 2022-23

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Udinese will travel to Stadio Alberto Picco this Tuesday to face Spezia in the 14th round of the 2022/23 Serie A season.

Venue: Stadio Alberto Picco (La Spezia)

Key Statistics

Spezia are winless in their last six Serie A games (D1, L5).

They have conceded the match opener in their last four SA home games, each within the first 15 minutes.

The hosts have lost just one of their last eight games at home in all competitions (W4, D3).

Udinese are winless in their last six games (D2, L4).

Andrea Sottil’s men are unbeaten in the league on the road since matchday one (W3, D2).

They have kept three clean sheets in their last three games.

Spezia have conceded the last goal of the match in 11 of their previous 12 Serie A games.

Head to head

Spezia have defeated Udinese three times in the last five meetings between both sides. The visitors have two wins.

Latest performances in all competitions

Spezia: L-L-L-W-D

Udinese: D-D-L-L-D

Spezia

It has been a few bad weeks for Luca Gotti and his struggling Spezia side who suffered a third straight defeat last week against AC Milan.

In another disappointing outing at the San Siro, the hosts held the Serie A defending champions for much of the game. But as was the case two Matchdays ago against Fiorentina, they conceded the winning goal beyond the 85th minute.

Despite the loss, boss Luca Gotti remained positive, stating “with this attitude the points will come”. However, with Spezia winking just one point across the last six Serie A games, Gotti needs to sort his side out quickly to quell relegation threats or they risk ending a three-campaign top-flight stay.

Yet, playing their last game at Stadio Alberto Picco before the winter World Cup break should get Spezia motivated to bounce back from the 2-1 loss to Fiorentina that ended their unbeaten home league record (W2, D3). But to achieve that, they need to address early defensive lapses given that they have conceded the match opener in their last four Serie A home games, each within the first 15 minutes.

Possible Spezia starting line-up

Bartlomiej Dragowski; Ethan Ampadu, Jakub Kiwior, Petko Hristov, Emil Holm, Arkadiusz Reca; Mehdi Bourabia, Albin Ekdal, Kevin Agudelo; Daniele Verde, M’Bala Nzola.

Injured: Viktor Kovalenko

Doubtful: Simone Bastoni

Suspended: None

Udinese

It was another disappointing outing for Udinese at the weekend as they came from a goal down to snatch a 1-1 draw with Lecce.

Just over a month ago, the visitors were in the thick of a title race after winning six league games on the trot. But fast forward to the start of Game Week 14, they sit in the eighth position, 12 points behind first-placed Napoli, having won none of their last six league games.

After the draw with Lecce at the weekend, coach Andrea Sottil stated that his team’s performances warrant more, saying in the wake of that draw “right now we are only missing the victories.”

Regardless of how far they are from Napoli, they are still within touching distance of the top six. However, with a tough trip to league leaders Napoli up next, anything less than a win here could put brakes on their lofty ambitions.

On the positive side though, the visitors are unbeaten in the league on the road since matchday one (W3, D2) and this game may prove to be the right fixture to add to that streak as the away side of the day has won each of the previous five H2Hs.

Possible Udinese starting line-up

Marco Silvestri; Enzo Ebosse, Jaka Bijol, Nehuen Perez, Kingsley Ehizibue; Roberto Pereyra, Lazar Samardzic, Walace, Tolgay Arslan; Gerard Deulofeu, Isaac Success.

Injured: Sandi Lovric, Rodrigo Becão

Doubtful: Adam Masina

Suspended: None

Prediction

Spezia 1-0 Udinese