Undefeated this season, Udinese aim to sign off for the international break with a win on Sunday, when they host newly promoted Como.
While the Fruilani upset Lazio last time out and have also progressed in the Coppa Italia, their ambitious visitors are still searching for a first success since returning to Serie A.
Match preview
© Imago
Having gone one goal up within five minutes of the first whistle, Udinese were ahead throughout almost all of last week's clash with Lazio, and they really took control of proceedings soon after the break.
Strikes from forward duo Lorenzo Lucca and Florian Thauvin saw the Bianconeri build a surprise lead against their visitors from the capital, and even after being reduced to 10 men midway through the second half they held on for a 2-1 win.
Following a 4-0 Coppa Italia victory over Serie B side Avellino, new boss Kosta Runjaic made his league debut in Bologna - where Udinese came away with a point despite Thauvin missing a penalty - so they are still unbeaten this season.
In fact, including last term's dramatic escape from demotion, the Fruilani have not lost any of their last seven league matches - that represents the club's best such streak for almost two years.
After leaving behind a 2023-24 campaign dominated by draws, Udinese will now try to post successive top-flight victories for the first time since March 2023.
© Imago
Standing in their way will be a club they last met in Serie A more than 20 years ago: in the spring of 2003, Como lost to an Udinese side managed by Luciano Spalletti, with current Parma coach Fabio Pecchia scoring one of their goals in a 3-2 defeat.
Indeed, Como have never before won a top-flight match in Udine - losing six times in nine previous attempts - so they will seek to put that right on Sunday evening.
More pressingly, head coach Cesc Fabregas hopes to get off the mark before international football intervenes, having seen his team knocked out of the Coppa Italia before taking one point from the first two league games of their comeback campaign.
Swept aside by Juventus on the opening day, Como were on a more even footing against Cagliari last time out, when Patrick Cutrone's second-half strike secured a 1-1 draw down in Sardinia.
The Lariani have bold ambitions under cash-rich owners, though, and after making significant signings such as Raphael Varane, Pepe Reina and Sergi Roberto, Fabregas is expected to keep his promotion-winning squad afloat in Serie A - so they must start winning sooner rather than later.
- D
- W
- W
- D
- W
- L
- L
- D
Team News
© Imago
Not only will Kosta Runjaic be without Udinese's returning hero Alexis Sanchez until after the international break, but centre-back Thomas Kristensen remains a fitness doubt for this weekend, and Hassane Kamara must serve a suspension for his red card against Lazio.
Jordan Zemura should be handed the chance to deputise for Kamara on the left flank, but the hosts could be otherwise unchanged.
Therefore, Florian Thauvin and Brenner are set to support Lorenzo Lucca up front: between the end of last season and the start of this, Lucca has been directly involved in four goals across six games in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Como striker Andrea Belotti has played a part in 11 league goals against Udinese to date - seven of his own and four assists - but has yet to find the net for his new club following unsuccessful spells with Roma and Fiorentina.
Midfielder Daniele Baselli is still struggling with a thigh problem so could join Oliver Abildgaard and Raphael Varane on the sidelines - the latter suffered a knee injury shortly after arriving in Lombardy.
Udinese possible starting lineup:
Okoye; Perez, Bijol, Giannetti; Ehizibue, Payero, Karlstrom, Zemura; Thauvin, Brenner; Lucca
Como possible starting lineup:
Reina; Iovine, Goldaniga, Dossena, Moreno; Mazzitelli, Perrone; Strefezza, Cutrone, Da Cunha; Belotti
We say: Udinese 1-0 Como
Having made a good start to life under new management, Udinese are favourites to prevail in their first league meeting with Como for over two decades.
Confident from toppling Lazio with 10 men, the Fruilani should hold promoted opponents at bay and add another three points to their tally.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
