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

Locked on 10 points with Atalanta heading into the fifth round of fixtures, the Giallorossi beat promoted Monza in midweek and now tackle a side who have just won back-to-back games.

Match preview

Playing a day after their likely rivals for a top four finish in June - partly as a result of their Thursday night commitments over the coming weeks - Roma will be able to guarantee at least a share of the Serie A summit on Sunday evening.

Though ownership of top spot remains transitory at this early stage of proceedings, the Giallorossi will surely enjoy the psychological boost that comes from being back near the pinnacle after several years of stagnation.

The inaugural Europa Conference League winners are set to kick off their Europa League campaign next week, away to Ludogorets, but first they aim to continue their fine league form in Udine.

Arriving on the back of a 3-0 win over Monza, courtesy of Paulo Dybala's brace and a Roger Ibanez second-half strike, Roma have won three and drawn one of their matches so far - with their only failure to take maximum points coming away to Juventus.

They have conceded just one goal in the process - that being an unstoppable Dusan Vlahovic free kick in Turin - and Jose Mourinho has certainly put his stamp on the capital city club after 12 months at the helm.

In each of the last four seasons Roma posted 10 or more points from their first four matches, they went on to finish runners-up; most recently in 2014-15.

This term, Mourinho will want to match that feat, or even better it, and with the Scudetto race appearing to be wide open this year, his team must continue to pick up points against Serie A's lesser lights.

Udinese may have held Roma to a 1-1 draw in the clubs' most recent meeting at the Dacia Arena, back in March, but generally come off second-best against their counterparts from the Eternal City.

Winning just two of their last 19 encounters in Serie A, while losing 15 times and failing to even score on 10 occasions, it is clear that the Friulani will be up against strong precedent before Sunday's match.

However, they play their second home fixture in a matter of days buoyed by a midweek victory over Fiorentina, in which Beto bagged his second goal in as many games to claim all three points.

After also opening the scoring in a 2-1 win over Monza last time Udinese were out on the road, the Portuguese forward is re-establishing his starting role up front, alongside star man Gerard Deulofeu, after a prolonged period out of form.

Thanks to his input, the Bianconeri have now recovered from a slow start to pick up the same number of points as they had at this stage last season - seven, with an identical goal difference too. They have their hands full, though, to go on and make it three wins from three when Roma roll into town.

Udinese Serie A form:

Udinese form (all competitions):

Roma Serie A form:

Roma form (all competitions):

Team News

Having made a handful of changes on Tuesday - and with Roma's Europa League campaign soon set to get under way - Jose Mourinho may tinker with his starting XI again this weekend.

Still missing Nicolo Zaniolo and longer-term absentee Georginio Wijnaldum through injury, the visitors at least have a new striker at their disposal, as Andrea Belotti made his debut from the bench in midweek. The latter has been directly involved in five goals (three of his own and two assists) in his last four league matches against Udinese.

Wing-backs Nicola Zalewski and Zeki Celik could drop out of the side, after both were brought in to face Monza, with Rick Karsdorp and Leonardo Spinazzola instead returning on the flanks.

Meanwhile, up front, Paulo Dybala will expect to kick on from opening his account for the Giallrossi by finding the net against a team he has scored (10) and assisted (seven) more times against in Serie A than any other opponent.

Udinese's hopes of keeping their visitors at bay for 90 minutes were dealt a blow when versatile defender Adam Masina was stretchered off during the win over Fiorentina. Subsequent tests revealed a serious knee injury, so Bram Nuytinck should return to the side on Sunday.

Coach Andrea Sottil will have Nehuen Perez back at his disposal after a two-match suspension, and the 22-year-old could either slot into the back three or feature on the right side of the hosts' 3-5-2 formation - the latter would allow Roberto Pereyra to return to a more central role.

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Silvestri; Becao, Nuytinck, Bijol; Perez, Pereyra, Walace, Makengo, Udogie; Deulofeu, Beto

Roma possible starting lineup:

Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Matic, Cristante, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Dybala; Abraham

We say: Udinese 1-2 Roma

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