Preview: Salernitana vs. Udinese - prediction, team news, lineups

I Granata are currently 17th in the table, two points clear of 18th-placed Cagliari, while Udinese occupy 12th position, which is the highest they can finish this term.

Match preview

Diego Perotti had the chance to secure survival for Salernitana with a late penalty against Empoli last weekend, but the Argentine could not take the opportunity, with the match finishing 1-1, which has left I Granata vulnerable heading into the final set of fixtures.

Salernitana's destiny is in their own hands, though, as they sit 17th in the division, two points clear of 18th-placed Cagliari, so a victory on Sunday would secure their position in next season's Serie A.

Davide Nicola's side have been in excellent form since the middle of last month, winning four and drawing three of their last seven league matches, but they will enter this match off the back of successive draws with Cagliari and Empoli.

Salernitana, who finished second in Serie B last term to secure a return to this level, have the second-worst home record in Serie A this term, picking up just 15 points from 18 matches.

I Granata recorded a 1-0 victory over Udinese when the two sides met in the reverse match in April, so they are bidding to make it a league double over the White and Blacks.

Udinese finished 14th in Serie A last season but will improve on that this term, with the club set to end the 2021-22 campaign in either 12th or 13th depending on the results in the final set of fixtures.

I Bianconeri have won 10, drawn 14 and lost 13 of their 37 league matches this season to collect 44 points, which has left them six points behind 11th-placed Sassuolo and one ahead of 13th-placed Bologna.

Udinese have won four, drawn seven and lost seven of their 18 away league games this term, picking up 19 points in the process, which is the 13th-best away record in the division.

Gabriele Cioffi's side do not have too much to play for on the final weekend, but the same cannot be said for Salernitana, and Cagliari will be hoping that the visitors can do them a favour here.

Udinese will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 home defeat to Spezia last weekend, while they have only won one of their last six league fixtures during a disappointing run of form.

Salernitana Serie A form:

Udinese Serie A form:

Team News

Salernitana will be missing Ederson through suspension this weekend, with the midfielder picking up a late yellow card in the draw with Empoli last time out.

Ederson's spot in midfield could be taken by Emil Bohinen, while there could be two further changes, with Nadir Zortea potentially taking Joel Obi's position in a wide area.

There could also be an alteration in the final third of the field on Sunday, with Federico Bonazzoli potentially replacing Simone Verdi to partner Milan Djuric.

As for Udinese, Marco Silvestri, Isaac Success and Beto have all been ruled out of the contest through injury.

Daniele Pedelli is in line for a spot between the sticks, but the team is expected to be similar to the one that took to the field for the first whistle against Spezia last time out.

Gerard Deulofeu should be partnered by Ignacio Pussetto in the final third of the field, while Roberto Pereyra will again feature in a midfield area for the visitors.

Salernitana possible starting lineup:

Sepe; Gyomber, Radovanovic, Fazio; Mazzocchi, L Coulibaly, Bohinen, Kastanos, Zortea; Bonazzoli, Djuric

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Padelli; Becao, Mari, Perez; Molina, Pereyra, Walace, Makengo, Udogie; Deulofeu, Pussetto

We say: Salernitana 1-0 Udinese

Salernitana need to win to be sure of a spot in next season's Serie A, and we are backing the home side to triumph here. Udinese do not have too much to play for on the final weekend, and Nicola's team have been in impressive form in recent weeks.

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