Udinesevs.Como

While the Fruilani upset Lazio last time out and have also progressed in the Coppa Italia, their ambitious visitors are still searching for a first success since returning to Serie A.

Match preview

Having gone one goal up within five minutes of the first whistle, Udinese were ahead throughout almost all of last week's clash with Lazio, and they really took control of proceedings soon after the break.

Goals from forward duo Lorenzo Lucca and Florian Thauvin saw the Bianconeri build a surprise lead against their visitors from the capital, and even after they were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half, the home side held on for a 2-1 win.

following a 4-0 Coppa Italia win over Serie B side Avellino, new boss Kosta Runjaic had made his league debut in Bologna - where Udinese came away with a point despite Thauvin missing a penalty - so they are unbeaten so far this season.

In fact, including last term's dramatic escape from demotion, the Fruilani have not lost any of their last seven league matches - that represents the club's best such streak in Serie A for almost two years.

After leaving behind a 2023-24 campaign dominated by draws, Udinese will now try to post successive top-flight victories for the first time since March 2023.

Standing in their way will be a club they last met in Serie A more than 20 years ago: in the spring of 2003, Como lost to an Udinese side coached by Luciano Spalletti, with current Parma coach Fabio Pecchia scoring one of their goals in a 3-2 defeat.

Indeed, Como have never before won a top-flight match in Udine - losing six times in nine previous attempts - so they will seek to put that right on Sunday evening.

More pressingly, head coach Cesc Fabregas is hoping to get off the mark before international football intervenes, having seen his team knocked out of the Coppa Italia before taking one point from the first two league games of the club's comeback campaign.

Swept aside by Juventus on the opening day, Como were on a more even footing against Cagliari last time out, when Patrick Cutrone's second-half strike secured a 1-1 draw down in Sardinia.

The Lariani have bold ambitions under cash-rich owners, though, and after making significant signings such as Raphael Varane, Pepe Reina and Sergi Roberto, Fabregas is expected to keep his promotion-winning squad afloat in Serie A - so they must start winning sooner rather than later.

Udinese Serie A form:

Udinese form (all competitions):

Como Serie A form:

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Como form (all competitions):

Team News

Not only will Kosta Runjaic be without Udinese's returning hero Alexis Sanchez until after the international break, but centre-back Thomas Kristensen remains a fitness doubt for this weekend, and Hassane Kamara must serve a suspension for his red card against Lazio.

Jordan Zemura should be handed the chance to deputise for Kamara on the left flank, but the hosts could be otherwise unchanged.

Therefore, Florian Thauvin and Brenner should support Lorenzo Lucca up front: between the end of last season and the start of this, Lucca has been directly involved in four goals across six games in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Como striker Andrea Belotti has played a part in 11 league goals against Udinese to date - seven of his own and four assists - but he has yet to find the net for his new club, following unsuccessful spells with Fiorentina and Roma.

Daniele Baselli is still struggling with a thigh problem and could join Raphael Varane on the sidelines - the latter suffered a knee injury shortly after arriving in Lombardy.

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Okoye; Perez, Bijol, Giannetti; Ehizibue, Payero, Karlstrom, Zemura; Thauvin, Brenner; Lucca

Como possible starting lineup:

Reina; Iovine, Goldaniga, Dossena, Moreno; Mazzitelli, Perrone; Strefezza, Cutrone, Da Cunha; Belotti

We say: Udinese 1-0 Como

Having made a good start to life under new management, Udinese are favourites to prevail in their first league meeting with Como for over two decades.

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