Udinese vs Pisa Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This is quite an unpredictable encounter, but not because of the quality of the two teams but more their woeful form, as Udinese take on Pisa in Friuli.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – DAZN / US – Paramount+ & DAZN
How to watch online: UK – DAZN / US – Paramount+ & DAZN
Udinese preview: Much-needed win
Under the management of former Legia Warsaw boss Kosta Runjaic, Udinese have been steady in Serie A but the Friulians, as has been a pattern for a while now, have significantly dropped off after a disappointing relatively strong start to the campaign.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 2-1 victory away at Torino, though, in midweek, courtesy of goals from Nicolo Zaniolo and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, which is just their second victory in their last seven matches across all competitions.
Pisa preview: Poor Pisa
Following their promotion to the top-flight last season, Pisa have been reasonably competitive for much of the campaign under the management of Alberto Gilardino, but they have massively lacked for goals and cutting edge, leading to them having won just one of their 19 matches so far this season, sitting rock-bottom in Serie A.
The Tuscans most recently suffered a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Como the other day at Arena Garibaldi, due to a Maximo Perrone strike as well as a Tasos Douvikas brace. The pressure is now significantly growing on the aforementioned Gilardino, who was appointed in the summer.
Udinese team news: Zaniolo a doubt
The aforementioned Nicolo Zaniolo has been impressive throughout the season but he is now an injury doubt, while fellow attackers Vakoun Bayo and Adam Buksa are also unavailable.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Okoye; Kristensen, Kabasele, Solet; Zanoli, Miller, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Kamara; Zaniolo, Davis
Unavailable: Goglichidze (Injured), Zemura (Injured), Bayo (International duty), Buksa (Injured)
Questionable: Zaniolo (Injured)
Pisa team news: Still no Akinsanmiro
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has enjoyed a positive start to life in Pisa but he remains unavailable for the visitors as he is with Nigeria at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Semper; Coppola, Canestrelli, Cariaccolo; Toure, Marin, Aebischer, Piccinini, Angori; Tramoni, Nzola
Unavailable: Juan Cuadrado (Injured), Akinsanmiro (International duty), Stengs (Injured)
Questionable: Raul Albiol (Injured), Vural (Injured), Meister (Injured)
Udinese vs Pisa prediction
Pisa lack quality in attack, even with key man and Angola international striker M'Bala Nzola returning from the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Udinese appear to have turned a corner in the nick of time the other day and should be viewed as slight favourites in a likely low-scoring affair.
Udinese vs Pisa tip: Udinese to win & under 3.5 goals
