Despite a run of four successive defeats, they were struggling Spezia travel to mid-table Udinese on Saturday with kickoff at 7 pm.
After a late collapse in their previous game—a 4-3 home defeat by Lazio—when Spezia visited Bergamo last weekend, they were still short of achieving their season’s objective: survival.
After managing only a single shot on target—which resulted in Daniele Verde’s first-half equalizer—the Ligurian side was beaten 3-1 by Atalanta. They have been vulnerable on home soil this term.
Leaving them 16th and suspended just above Cagliari and resurgent Salernitana, their final two matches of the 2021-22 campaign could be decisive. With next week’s finale coming against third-placed Napoli, Spezia will need to take points tonight if they hope to remain in Serie A next season.
Spezia’s second-ever season in Serie A has been far from plain sailing under head coach Thiago Motta, who missed several matches due to injury. An alarming dip in form has afflicted the team over the past couple of months: only rock-bottom Venezia has lost more times in Serie A since February.
After winning 1-0 in La Spezia in September to claim a rare away victory from the reverse fixture, Udinese endured a worrying decline toward the bottom three before recovering under new coach Gabriele Cioffi, who has led them to mid-table safety.
Udinese vs Spezia Head to Head
Both sides have four games against each other with each side taking two sides apiece. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Sassuolo 1-1 Udinese
- Udinese 1-2 Inter
- Fiorentina 0-4 Udinese
- Bologna 2-2 Udinese
- Udinese 0-1 Salernitana
Away
- Spezia 1-3 Atalanta
- Spezia 3-4 Lazio
- Torino 2-1 Spezia
- Spezia 1-3 Inter
- Empoli 0-0 Spezia
Udinese Team News
Simone Bastoni’s dislocated shoulder rules him out of Saturday’s game, so coach Thiago Motta will have to rethink his backline. Polish full-back Arkadiusz Reca should take Bastoni’s place on the left flank. At the same time, regular goalkeeper Ivan Provedel is expected to return ahead of Jeroen Zoet, who enjoyed a rare start last time out.
Empoli Team News
Meanwhile, Udinese is also forced into a change in defence, as Rodrigo Becao must serve a one-match suspension for accumulated bookings. That opens the door for Bram Nuytinck to start in the hosts’ back three following his goal last week.
Prediction and Odds
The Aquilotti are set to be denied even a precious point by their hosts, who have improved offensively of late and tend to make the most of home advantage.
- Udinese Win
- Both Teams to Score
- Goals Over 1.5
