Preview: Udinese vs Fiorentina – prediction, team news, lineups

After surviving a major scare to secure progress in Europe, Fiorentina will return to their serie a A battle for survival on Monday, when they visit mid-table Udinese.

While the Viola are returning to form, their hosts have lost three consecutive league matches.

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match preview

Summarizing their defensive flaws this season, Fiorentina blew a 3-0 lead in the first leg of the Conference League playoff home leg on Thursday, before beating Jagiellonia Bialystok in extra time.

A brilliant performance in Poland had put them in control of a difficult match; However, they suffered defeat in the second leg and only took the lead through Niccolo Fagioli’s 107th-minute strike.

Both teams then scored again, leading to a nervy finale, but Viola progressed 5–4 on aggregate and booked a last-16 clash with more Polish opponents.

Paolo Vanoli’s side will have to focus on maintaining their Serie A status ahead of meeting Rakow Czestochowa in UEFA’s third-tier competition.

Since arriving in November, Vanoli has consistently kept Fiorentina away from the unexpected threat of relegation; Last week’s 1-0 win over Tuscan rivals Pisa finally lifted them out of the drop zone.

In fact, 15 of their 24 points have come this calendar year – including six of their last nine on the road.

Following their recent 2-1 win in Como, the Florence club can now win consecutive Serie A away matches for the first time since November 2024.

Fiorentina’s revival was sparked by their last encounter with Udinese, a surprise 5–1 success in the December reverse fixture, when the Bianconeri were reduced to 10 men within seven minutes of kick-off.

Monday’s hosts have lost three of their last four home matches against the Viola – many more defeats than in their last 18 matches – so recent history is not on their favour.

Current form is also an issue for Costa Rungic and Co. Consecutive wins over Hellas Verona and Roma took them momentarily into Italy’s top 10 before three consecutive defeats.

After losing on a late goal in Lecce, they lost at home to Sassuolo; Last time the Friuli club was defeated 1-0 by Bologna.

At home this season, Udinese have won only four times from 13 attempts, averaging one goal per game.

Nevertheless, they are on track to achieve their stated goal of mid-table safety, with Runjack keeping the club competitive and keeping them out of danger.

Udinese Serie A form:

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Fiorentina Serie A form:

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Fiorentina form (all competitions):

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team news

After playing 120 minutes on Thursday, Vanoli will make several changes to his Fiorentina lineup.

Three could be implemented, as reserve goalkeeper Luca Lazzarini (thigh), German full-back Robin Gosens (face) and winger Manor Solomon (muscle) all suffered injuries in midweek.

Dodo also faces suspension, but Albert Gudmundsson returned to action as a late substitute against Jagiellonia and can now start in support of Moise Kean.

The player, who scored twice against Udinese earlier this season, has recently scored in his last three Serie A matches.

Meanwhile, top scorer Keenan Davies has just returned from injury and is unlikely to start, with Nicolo Zaniolo set to be Udinese’s main threat.

After an abortive loan spell with Fiorentina last season, Zaniolo has scored five league goals this season – six is ​​his personal best, dating back to 2020.

In addition to key defender Oumar Soulet and long-term absentee Alessandro Zanolli being out, Hasane Kamara is still a doubt with plantar fasciitis.

Udinese probable starting lineup:

Okoye; Christensen, Kabasele, Bertola; Ehizibu, Ekkelenkamp, ​​Carlstrom, Atta, Zemura; Zaniolo, Buxa

Fiorentina probable starting lineup:

De Gea; Fortini, Comuzzo, Pongracic, Ranieri; Brescianini, Fagioli, Mandragora; Harrison, Keane, Gudmundsson

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We say: Udinese 2-2 Fiorentina

While Udinese could reach the finish line, the pressure is on Fiorentina to produce, as one of six teams competing to avoid the last spot.

Goals are certainly guaranteed, as the last four league meetings have seen an average of 4.5 per game – and both teams rarely keep clean sheets.

Please click here for data analysis of the most probable outcomes of this match, scoreline and more.

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