Verdict: Tammy Abraham over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Desperately seeking a much-needed Serie A boost on Friday night, AC Milan will travel to the Bluenergy Stadium when they meet Udinese.
Udinese
Starting with the hosts, while Udinese might have enjoyed an eye-catching flurry when opening the New Year, Kosta Runjaic’s side have largely come crashing back down to earth on either side of March’s international break. Last seen putting in another downbeat display as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Genoa, the Little Zebras have lost each of their previous three Serie A appearances. Heading into March’s fortnight interval with another 1-0 defeat against Verona, Udinese have also mustered just a sole point from their last four outings. Slipping out the top-half of the Serie A standings, Friday’s hosts have also shown some recent issues in the final third. In fact, the former Legia Warsaw boss has seen his struggling squad register just a single Serie A strike in almost 350 minutes of action.
Udinese Team News
Enduring what has been a public nightmare since arriving at the Bluenergy Stadium and hit with another injury setback, Udinese will once again be without former Arsenal talisman Alex Sanchez on Friday night. Likewise, all still dealing with respective issues, the Little Zebras will also be without the likes of Isaak Toure, Razvan Sava and Jordan Zemura.
While Lorenzo Lucca might remain heavily linked with a move away ahead of the summer transfer window, the one-time Torino youngster will lead Udinese’s charge and hope to add to his 10 Serie A strikes this season.
AC Milan
As for the visitors, while AC Milan might have mounted a comeback at home against Fiorentina last weekend as they eventually clung to a 2-2 stalemate at the San Siro, the pressure on Sergio Conceicao’s shoulders remains at a boiling point. Although the former Porto boss might have guided Friday’s guests to Super Cup success back in January, the Rossoneri have drastically failed to find any kind of stability. Marking their return from March’s international break with a 2-1 defeat against title dreamers Napoli, AC Milan have won just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Suffering an infamous Champions League exit on February 18th following a 2-1 aggregate defeat against Dutch outfit Feyenoord, Conceicao’s also have an uphill battle in the race to book an essential European finish this year.
AC Milan Team News
Undergoing surgery on an acute appendicitis last month, AC Milan are once again expected to be without former Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek on Friday night. Likewise, not making a single appearance across any competition since the end of January, ex-Tottenham defender Emerson Royal remains on the sidelines.
Serving a one-match suspension against Fiorentina last weekend, 19-year-old Alejandro Jimenez will return to Milan’s squad here. Finding the net in consecutive appearances over the past week, England international Tammy Abraham should keep his spot leading the line.
Udinese vs AC Milan Key Factors to Consider
- When Udinese and AC Milan met for their reverse Serie A meeting on October 19th, the Rossoneri collected a 1-0 victory on home soil.
- Udinese have lost each of their previous three consecutive Serie A appearances.
- AC Milan have won just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
- The Little Zebras have notched just a single Serie A strike in almost 350 minutes of action.
- AC Milan have lost six of their last eight showdowns away from the San Siro across all formats.
Conclusion
Facing an uphill battle in the race to book any kind of European finish in 2025, AC Milan are desperately seeking a crucial boost on Friday night. Gaining a reputation for their glaring issues away from the San Siro, Conceicao’s camp will have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders this weekend. Meeting a Udinese squad that has lost each of their previous three consecutive Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 5-1, the Rossoneri know that they can’t afford another public banana skin here.
Verdict: Tammy Abraham over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
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