Udinese vs Juventus predictions for Sunday’s Serie A fixture at Stadio Friuli. The Old Lady begin the new season with a trip to face Udinese who they managed to defeat at the end of last season. Will Allegri’s men get their first win? Read on for our free Serie A predictions and betting tips.
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Match Live Sunday, 20th August at 7:45 pm In:
Udinese vs Juventus Predictions
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Past Shadows, Present Battles, and Future Hopes in Serie A Opener
Key Stats
– Udinese haven’t bested Juve in 12 of their last 15 league encounters.
– Federico Chiesa has been directly involved in five league goals against Udinese.
A mere eight weeks ago, Juventus and Udinese clashed on the final day of the past season. Now, as the winds of change sweep through Italian football, they prepare to lock horns once more in the opening fixture of the new Serie A campaign. Juve are keen to put a tumultuous 2023 behind them, while Udinese aspire to rewrite a rather underwhelming history against their formidable opponents from Turin.
The Turin Giants: A Year to Forget, A Future to Shape
There’s no denying that the recent past was anything but kind to Juventus. The shadows of a points penalty, a jarring exit from Europe, and consecutive league setbacks linger. Falling into seventh place in Serie A was a bitter pill to swallow, especially for a side used to contesting the summit. The UEFA ban, sidelining them from the Europa Conference League, added salt to the wound.
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The lack of European football this season, however, presents an unexpected silver lining. Coach Max Allegri eyes a rejuvenation in domestic challenges and dreams of Coppa Italia glory. The pre-season tour in the United States, where Juve tamed the likes of Milan and Real Madrid, hints at promise.
But controversies persist. Notably, the sidelining of stalwart Leonardo Bonucci and the potential acquisition of Romelu Lukaku from Inter remain the talk of the town. While experienced stars like Juan Cuadrado and Angel Di Maria bid adieu, it might be the hour for young prodigies to rise. Not to forget, Juventus’ defensive strength remains intact, boasting an impressive 20 clean sheets last term. Given their past record, opening day fixtures have been generous to Juve, with a commendable 59 victories in their kitty.
Udinese’s Quest for Redemption
On the other side, Udinese are eager to bounce back after a promising start to 2022-23 eventually saw them sliding to a 12th place finish. They demonstrated resilience under Andrea Sottil, often clawing back from behind, but consistency eluded them. Their recent 4-1 Coppa Italia victory against Catanzaro, however, might suggest winds of change.
The Protagonists: Men to Watch
As both sides lace up for Sunday’s duel, injuries and tactics shape their line-ups. While Juventus are likely without Mattia De Sciglio and Paul Pogba, hopes are high for Nicolo Fagioli’s inclusion. The spotlight will be on Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa, both boasting impressive stats against Udinese.
Udinese’s summer acquisitions, Christian Kabasele and Jordan Zemura, may be poised for their league debuts. The retention of Beto, last week’s goal-scorer, alongside Brenner and Lazar Samardzic, ensures Udinese’s forward line remains potent.
Predictions:
1. Match Outcome: Juventus Victory Juventus have consistently demonstrated dominance against Udinese in their past encounters, a trend that’s hard to overlook when making predictions. When we delve into the statistics, it’s evident that Juventus’s supremacy isn’t just in recent meetings, but over the long haul. Juventus boasts a record of having won the most Serie A season openers historically, and their recent record has been commendable too.
Of their last seven season openers, they’ve come out victorious six times. Udinese, on the other hand, wrapped up the 2022-23 season on a grim note, losing four consecutive matches. Additionally, the Dacia Arena, Udinese’s home ground, has been a happy hunting ground for Juventus, with the Turin side securing 12 victories in their last 15 encounters there. Based on this data, a Juventus win seems a logical prediction for this fixture.
2. Correct Score: 2-0 to Juventus Another significant statistic from the previous season is that Juventus secured 20 clean sheets, which is only outdone by Lazio. Their solid defensive record is suggestive of their capability to shut down opposition attacks. On the offensive front, with Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic likely pairing up, their firepower is undeniable.
Vlahovic’s impressive goal per minute ratio from last August, including scoring twice on the first matchday of the 2022-23 season, showcases his capability to find the net. Furthermore, Juventus have recorded a 1-0 or 2-0 win in their last three meetings against Udinese. Given the Turin side’s recent form and historical data, a 2-0 victory for Juventus seems a plausible scoreline.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Federico Chiesa Choosing a goalscorer from the available data points us towards Federico Chiesa. Historically, Chiesa has been a thorn in Udinese’s side. He has been involved in five league goals against them and was the deciding factor in June’s 1-0 win at the Dacia Arena.
With Chiesa’s proven track record against Udinese, it wouldn’t be a stretch to predict that he will find the net once again. He possesses the skills, form, and historical precedent to be a real threat in the upcoming match. His involvement in the final third and penchant for goal-scoring moments against Udinese puts him as the prime candidate to get on the scoresheet.
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