AC Monza vs Udinese Match Analysis and Prediction

4 years ago 764

Serie A new boys AC Monza will play host to top-flight regulars Udinese at Stadio Brianteo on Friday in the third round of league fixtures.

Having picked up just one point between them in the opening two rounds, both teams will be looking to claim a much-needed win.

As a promoted side who were ambitious in the transfer market this summer, expectations have been raised for Monza’s debut season in Seria A, but the harsh realities of life in the Italian elite have already begun to take effect.

Suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Tirino on the opening day, Monza travelled to Campania last weekend to meet Napoli at Stadio Maradona.

Despite holding out for the first half hour, they found themselves on the end of a 4-0 thrashing fron the new-look Neapolitans, and are still searching for their first point in the top flight.

Giovanni Stroppa’s side, who meet Udinese again in the Coppa Italia second round in October, must take on both Roma and Juventus by mid-September, so they will be keen to capitalise on home advantage against more modest opposition.

Udinese’s only success so far has also been in the cup, where they defeated FeralpiSalo at the start of August, and one point from two matches has not been an ideal start for the new coach Andrea Sottil.

Partly as a result of Nehuen Perez’s dismissal, Udinese failed to score in Serie A for just the second time in 17 games, and had to settle for a single point from a goalless draw against Salernitana when the sides met last Saturday.

Having previously taken the lead against Milas on the opening day, Udinese were eventually beaten 4-2 by the champions at San Siro, so will aim to claim a first league win from their latest tip to Lombardy.

AC Monza vs Udinese head to head

The two teams have not previously met in any competition and this will be their first meeting in the Serie A.

AC Monza latest home form

AC Monza lost 2-1 to Torino in their last home game in the league. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have won each of their previous nine matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 16 goals and conceded just six.

Monza 4-0 Renate 25/07/22

Monza 5-0 Novara 30/07/22

Monza 3-2 Sangiuliano City 31/07/22

Monza 3-2 Frosinone 07/08/22

Monza 1-2 Torino 13/08/22

AC Monza latest away form

AC Monza have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of thier six most recent matches. They lost 4-0 to Napoli in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded nine.

Perugia 1-0 Monza 06/05/22

Brescia 1-2 Monza 18/05/22

Pisa 3-4(E) Monza 29/05/22

Bellinzona 0-0 Monza 10/07/22

Napoli 4-0 Monza 21/08/22

Udinese latest home form

Udinese have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just two of their five most recent matches. They played out a goalless draw with Salernitana in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded seven.

Udinese 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen 21/07/22

Udinese 2-1 Pafos 25/07/22

Udinese 1-3 Chelsea 29/07/22

Udinese 2-1 FeralpiSalo 05/08/22

Udinese 0-0 Salernitana 20/08/22

Udinese latest away form

Udinese lost 4-2 to AC Milan in their last away game in the league. However, they have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in the previous five matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 13 goals and conceded seven.

Bologna 2-2 Udinese 24/04/22

Fiorentina 0-4 Udinese 27/04/22

Sassuolo 1-1 Udinese 07/05/22

Salernitana 0-4 Udinese 22/05/22

AC Milan 4-2 Udinese 13/08/22

AC Monza news

Monza will be without veteran defender Andrea Ranocchia for Friday’s contest and the foreseeable future, while Valentin Antov is most likely to step in the back three.

Alessio Cragno will be forced to wait for his debut in goal, while Stefano Sensi should feature in the centre of a 3-5-2 formation.

Udinese news

Sottil will be forced into a change on the right flank, as Nehuen Perez serves a suspension following his sending-off against Salernitana and Brandon Soppy has left for Atalanta.

Irish wing-back Festy Ebosele is therefore likely to come into the starting XI, while Bram Nuytinck is likely to replace Jaka Bijol.

Prediction and Odds

In their last 15 away encounters, Udinese have never repeated the same result twice in a row, and after losing to Milan on their most recent travel, we tip them to come away with at least a point.

Monza can get off the mark with a draw if their experienced strikeforce starts to click.

Odds: 1 2.22 X 2.00 2 2.26