Udinese and Monza are battling for mid-table in Serie A going into Saturday's encounter at Dacia Arena.

The Little Zebras dropped to 11th after last week's 3-0 defeat by Bologna, while the Biancorossi somehow held on to 13th place despite losing to Lazio.

Match preview

Udinese's ambition to end in the top half of Serie A took a hit last time out when they were beaten by Bologna.

Not since 2012-13 has the Udine outfit finished in the top 10, a target Andrea Sottil's team could look to attain this term.

Admittedly, the Little Zebras will not end as high as fifth as they did 10 years back, owing to the strength of the sides above them and the points to be made up, but they are primed to finish higher than last season when they ended 12th.

The defeat in Bologna was a kick in the teeth, especially after the 3-1 home win over Champions League-chasing AC Milan before the international break, ending a four-game unbeaten run.

Back at the Friuli on Saturday, the Bianconeri chases back-to-back home victories for the first time since September — a three-game winning run — having ended an eight-match sequence without success at their stomping ground before beating Milan.

They would have to outdo Monza, competing in their first Serie A campaign, and a side keen to win for club president Silvio Berlusconi, who was admitted to hospital on Wednesday after respiratory problems, according to reports in the Italian press.

Raffaele Palladino's team have competed admirably all season and finds themselves in 13th place heading into round 29 in the top flight.

Barring any disaster in the final 10 rounds of the competition, the White and Reds should avoid immediate relegation to Serie B thanks to a 15-point advantage over 18th-placed Hellas Verona.

However, their recent form has not impressed, with only one victory in their last six Serie A fixtures, which was a 2-1 success over Empoli.

Interestingly, Palladino's troops have enjoyed an impressive away record since the turn of the year, securing nine points from an available 18.

The pick of their commendable results was a shock 2-0 success at Juventus, so a positive outcome against Udinese cannot be ruled out, despite their ongoing two-match winless run on their travels.

Both sides have claimed a win each in their two meetings this season, with Monza avenging August's 2-1 league loss by eliminating Udinese 3-2 in the Coppa Italia two months later.

Team News

Sottil welcomes back Rodrigo Becao, Walace and Nehuen Perez after the trio missed the Bologna loss due to suspension, while Isaac Success should start after an illness.

However, the Udinese boss will be without the suspended Roberto Pereyra following last week's booking.

Gerard Deulofeu (knee) and Enzo Ebosse (ligament rupture) are out for the remainder of the season.

Palladino will have to do without joint-second top scorer Gianluca Caprari following last week's booking against Lazio.

Andrea Petagna, scorer of the winning goal when these teams last met in the cup, has had a frustrating season in front of goal, but the two-goal centre-forward will hope for a repeat of his heroics at the Friuli.

Armando Izzo and Matteo Pessina should return to the side in central defence and central midfield respectively after missing last week's defeat through suspension.

Udinese possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Becao, Bijol, Perez; Ehizibue, Samardzic, Walace, Arslan, Udogie; Success, Beto

Monza possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Izzo, Mari, Caldirola; Birindelli, Pessina, Rovella, Augusto; Ciurria, Petagna, Sensi

We say: Udinese 2-1 Monza

Goals should be a guarantee in this game, with Udinese scoring in all but one league game at the Friuli this season, while Monza have netted in five of their last six games on the road.

The Little Zebras should edge Saturday's meeting and extend the visitors' winless away run to three.


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