Prediction: Juventus vs Udinese

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Desperate to make an immediate return to winning ways when they return from the festive break this weekend, Juventus will welcome Udinese to the Allianz on Sunday night.

Juventus

Starting with the hosts, while Juventus might have thought they had managed to find a real bounce when heading into the festive break, Andrea Pirlo’s side came crashing back down to earth. Putting in what was a worrying display back on December 22nd when they welcomed a struggling Fiorentina to Turin, the Old Lady were hit with a woeful 3-0 drumming on home soil. While the former World Cup-winner might have seen his side enjoy a real Champions League romp and signing off their campaign with a 3-0 win at the Nou Camp, Juventus have struggled with their Serie A form. Marking their return to domestic action this weekend sat way down in sixth and already 10 points adrift of league leaders AC Milan, the defending champions have also shown some extended issues at the back. While attacking MVP Cristiano Ronaldo might be enjoying another record-breaking campaign, Juve have recorded just a single clean sheet in any of their last six top-flight appearances.

Team News

After both have recovered from thigh injuries, the duo of Merih Demiral and Giorgio Chiellini have been given the green light to feature on Sunday.

However, after being sent off against Fiorentina before the festive break, Juan Cuadrado will be missing due to suspension.

Udinese

As for the visitors, while Udinese might mark their return to action this weekend still sat in the bottom-half of the table, they do find themselves in a similar position to the defending champions. Although they might have gained a string of plaudits from across Serie A after what appeared to be a hugely impressive run of form when heading into the festive break, I Bianconeri also came crashing back down to earth last time out. Hit with what many thought was a shock 2-0 loss against top-flight returners Benevento on home soil, Head Coach Luca Gotti saw his side’s six-match Serie A unbeaten run come to an abrupt end. However, still managing to impress with their recent displays on the road, a run highlighted by a stunning 3-1 romp against Champions League outfit Lazio, Udinese will also be boosted by their famous last meeting against Juventus. When Sunday’s guests welcomed the defending champions to the Stadio Friuli back in July, they managed to land a shock 2-1 victory.

Team News

Udinese will be boosted by the news that both Thomas Ouwejan and defender Bram Nuytinck look set to make their return in Turin this weekend.

However, Sunday’s guests will be without Rodrigo Becao who will be serving a suspension.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Sunday’s opponents last faced off back in July at the Stadio Friuli, Udinese picked up a stunning 2-1 victory.
• Hit with a 3-0 loss against Fiorentina last time out, Juventus saw their 12-match Serie A unbeaten run come to an end.
• Likewise, suffering a 2-0 defeat against Benevento on December 23rd, Udinese saw their own six-match unbeaten run come to an end.
• Juve have managed to record just a single clean sheet in their last six top-flight contests.
• Four of I Bianconeri’s last five Serie A contests on the road have seen both teams find the net by the final whistle.

Conclusion

While Juventus might open Sunday’s meeting as a real standout pick with the bookmakers, the Old Lady once again showed their inconsistencies when entering the festive break. Hit with what turned out to be a woeful 3-0 drumming at home against Fiorentina, the defending Serie A champions know that they must start to make up some ground when they open the New Year. While Udinese might have also signed off 2020 with their own sluggish defeat against top-flight returners Benevento, they have continued to impress with their performances on the road. Landing a 3-1 romp away at Lazio on their four-match unbeaten away run, it should also be noted that I Bianconeri picked up that stunning 2-1 victory when they last faced off against Juve over the summer.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet