Udinese vs. Roma: Preview & Predicted Lineups

Roma are back on the pitch as they travel to Friuli to face-off against Udinese and continue their push towards a Champions League league place finish.

Fresh off their first leg win over Milan on Thursday at San Siro, the Giallorossi have a golden opportunity to give a boost to their top four aspirations after both Bologna and Juventus dropped points this weekend. However, they’ll meet a desperate Udinese side keen on securing a result in the tightly contested relegation race.

The game marks the 100th meeting between the two sides in Serie A, with Roma leading the series with 52 win, 24 draws, and 23 defeats.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18.00 CET on Sunday evening at the Stadio Friuli in Udine.

Just one point above the safety line, Udinese enter Sunday’s showdown desperate for a result. The Friulians haven’t won since February 12th against Juventus but hope to repeat their performance from the last time they hosted Roma.

The last match at the Stadio Friuli in September 2022 ended 4-0 in favor of the Zebrette thanks to goals from Destiny Udogie, Lazar Samardzic, Roberto Pereyra and Sandi Lovric. They’re also coming off a very strong performance on Monday against league leaders Inter—only falling to the Nerazzurri in the final moments of extra time.

Despite the defeat, Udinese boss Gabriele Cioffi urged his side to bounce back from the debilitating result and give everything they have against Roma.

“After losing to Inter we must get back up again with strength and awareness,” Cioffi said during his pre-match press conference.

“I know Roma will come here and will have full respect of us as a valid opponent, With Mourinho Roma was more direct, had more defensive density, with De Rossi they dribble more, play with more courage with clear passing patterns.”

Roma, meanwhile, will be riding high coming into Sunday’s fixture thanks to crucial wins in both Serie A and Europa League over the past week. They delivered arguably their best performance of the De Rossi era on Thursday in their 1-0 first leg victory over Milan—also marking their fourth straight clean sheet.

With Thursday’s return leg looming, he’s expected rotate his team against Udinese, with the likes of Houssem Aouar, Angelino, and Evan Ndicka returning to the fold. In defence, Rick Karsdorp is favored to start over Zeki Celik while Angelino replaces Leonardo Spinazzola on the left flank.

”We’re coming off two intense games from a physical and mental point of view,” De Rossi stated prior to Sunday’s match.

“I’ll take into account some of the knocks guys are dealing with, but what matters most for Sunday is the attitude of the entire team. In the eyes we have the victory with Milan and in the derby, but we have the Lecce game still on our minds. We must avoid at all costs that kind of superficial attitude: that’s our objective.”

UDINESE (3-5-1-1): Okoye; Perez, Bijol, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Zarraga, Walace, Samardzic, Kamara; Pereyra; Lucca

Unavailable: Florian Thauvin, Gerard Deulofeu, Sandi Lovric, Keinan Davis, Enzo Ebosse

ROMA (4-3-2-1): Svilar; Karsdorp, Mancini, Ndicka, Angeliño; Cristante, Paredes, Aouar; Dybala, Zalewski; Lukaku

Unavailable: Sardar Azmoun