Udinese vs Bologna prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-12-29 14:00.
Udinese were on their way to celebrating only their second Serie A (SA) win this term, but a touch of misfortune in the final minutes against Torino condemned them to yet another draw as they recorded an 11th stalemate across the opening 17 league matches (W1, L5). That means that Gabriele Cioffi’s side start this latest matchday sat just one point ahead of the relegation zone and with the very real fear that they could enter 2024 amongst SA’s bottom three.
According to Cioffi, Udinese are “lacking luck to win” which has been evident at Stadio Friuli in particular as the hosts are still the only SA side yet to win at home this term (D6, L2). Each of their last five outings at this venue have ended in draws, none of which have seen the home side keep a clean sheet, and as the last time they won a league match here against a team that is still in SA now came all the way back in March, alarm bells are beginning to ring.
The home side’s drawing streak could be set to continue even further here as Bologna visit, with the travelling European hopefuls seeing a league-high six away trips end level this campaign (W1, D6, L1). That streak has seen the visitors, who sit in the top four ahead of this matchday, suffer just two defeats across their opening 17 SA matches for the first time since 1963/64 when they won the league!
Coach Thiago Motta described the last week before Christmas as a “fantastic week” as they beat Roma and Atalanta in SA and also eliminated league leaders Inter from the Coppa Italia. That was their second consecutive away victory, but after they started this term with seven matches on the road without a win (D6, L1), Bologna are yet to prove they’ve overcome their travelling woes.
Players to watch: Lorenzo Lucca has three goals in Udinese's last two home matches (D2), with two arriving before the break. Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson scored the winner against Atalanta before Christmas, with each of his four goals this season serving as game openers.
Hot stat: Udinese are the only SA side yet to score in the opening 30 minutes this term.