A promising start to the Serie A campaign sees in-form Udinese face Hellas Verona full of confidence and keen to use it as a platform to build on at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on Monday.
Following five straight victories, including wins over Roma and Inter Milan, the visitors return to action after the international break to face struggling opponents managed by their former coach.
Gabriele Cioffi, who stepped in to steer Udinese to safety last season, has endured a difficult stint since taking charge at the Bentegodi, and his side have won just once so far this season.
The last time Hellas Verona failed to score in three consecutive league matches was back in April 2018, but following successive 2-0 defeats to Lazio and Fiorentina last month, such fate could be on the cards once again.
However, I Gialloblu have gone unbeaten in five of their last six Serie A matches against Udinese, and have also kept clean sheets in each of their last three Serie A home matches against them, which will provide a glimer of hope here.
An impressive run through late August into September saw Udinese move up the Serie A standings to reach third place after seven fixtures, and their most recent result created the greatest shockwaves of all.
I Bianconeri welcomed likely Scudetto contenders Inter Milan to the Dacia Arena just before the international break, and they once again put on quite a show for the Friulani faithful after beating Roma on home soil a fortnight before.
Udinese have therefore equalised their best Serie A start by collecting 16 points at this stage for the first time in over 20 years, and no team had scored more than their tally of 15 goals heading into the break, clearly an exceptional start to life under bew boss Andrea Sottil.
Hellas Verona vs Udinese head to head
These two teams have previously met on 22 occasions, where Verona have claimed six victories while Udinese have won eight and they have drawn in eight. Udinese have scored 31 goals and conceded 26 in the process. In their last five meetings, Verona have won two, Udinese one with one draw.
Udinese 0-0 Verona 16/02/20
Verona 1-0 Udinese 27/09/20
Udinese 2-0 Verona 07/02/21
Udinese 1-1 Verona 27/10/21
Verona 4-0 Udinese 13/02/22
Hellas Verona latest home form
Hellas Verona have recently kept a mixed run of form at home, as they have won three of their six most recent matches. They managed to defeat Sampdoria 2-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded 14.
Verona 4-3 Cremonese 30/07/22
Verona 1-4 Bari 07/08/22
Verona 2-5 Napoli 15/08/22
Verona 0-1 Atalanta 28/08/22
Verona 2-1 Sampdoria 04/09/22
Hellas Verona latest away form
Hellas Verona have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their five most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Fiorentina in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded nine.
Lazio 3-3 Verona 21/05/22
Bologna 1-1 Verona 21/08/22
Empoli 1-1 Verona 31/08/22
Lazio 2-0 Verona 11/09/22
Fiorentina 2-0 Verona 18/09/22
Udinese latest home form
Udinese have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Inter Milan 3-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded just two.
Udinese 2-1 FeralpiSalo 05/08/22
Udinese 0-0 Salernitana 20/08/22
Udinese 1-0 Fiorentina 31/08/22
Udinese 4-0 Roma 04/09/22
Udinese 3-1 Inter Milan 18/09/22
Udinese latest away form
Udinese have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their eight most recent matches. They managed to defeat Sassuolo 3-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded seven.
Sassuolo 1-1 Udinese 07/05/22
Salernitana 0-4 Udinese 22/05/22
AC Milan 4-2 Udinese 13/08/22
Monza 1-2 Udinese 26/08/22
Sassuolo 1-3 Udinese 11/09/22
Hellas Verona news
Hellas Verona have a well-stocked squad to choose from heading into Monday’s contest, as only teenage defender Diego Coppola is an injury doubt.
Miguel Veloso will once again compete with Adrien Tameze for a spot in the central midfield, with either man joining Serbia international Ivan Ilic in the engine room.
Udinese news
Sottil has an almost fully-fit squad from which to select on Monday, with only long-term absentee Adam Masina remaining out of action.
In midfield, he must choose between Tolgay Arslan and Jean-Victor Makengo to feature in the centre, while Roberto Pereyra should continue in his new role on the right flank.
Prediction and Odds
Udinese have salvaged the most points from losing positions across the top five European leagues this season, winning three of four matches in which they trailed.
We back the visitors to recover even if they go behind, but Verona could prove a tough test on home soil, and could hold out for a point.
Odds: 1 2.30 X 2.05 2 2.20
Probable outcomes
Verona 0-0 Udinese
Verona 1-1 Udinese
Verona 2-2 Udinese
Verona 0-1 Udinese
Verona 1-2 Udinese
