AS Roma vs Udinese Prediction & Betting Tips (22 September)

Inducted onto the bench last January, Daniele De Rossi allowed Roma to move up the rankings to take 6th place in Serie A, synonymous with qualification for the Europa League. Unfortunately, the Louve club is struggling at the start of the season and the disappointing results pushed the leaders to part ways with De Rossi at the start of the week. It must be said that the Giallorossi have already fallen far behind their competitors. Defeated at home by Empoli 1-2, they otherwise drew against Cagliari 0-0, Juventus 0-0 and Genoa last weekend 1-1. Former Torino coach Ivan Juric is the new strong man of Roma.

Close to the descent during the previous exercise, Udinese found the resources to make a good final straight and finish in 15th place in Serie A with 2 small points ahead of the first relegation. Expected to be fighting at the bottom of the rankings this season, the team based in Friuli has exceeded expectations so far, as evidenced by their 1st place at the start of this 5th day. Florian Thauvin's teammates started the championship by taking a point from Bologna 1-1. Subsequently, they in turn dominated Lazio 2-1, Como 1-0 and Parma last Monday despite a handicap of 2 goals 2-3.

Roma remains without the French playmaker who arrived at the club this summer Le Fée. He was joined in the infirmary by winger Saelemaekers. Recruited at great expense during the off-season, the Ukrainian international Dovbyk has not convinced so far. He still opened his goal counter last weekend. At his side, Dybala could take his place while the new French international Manu Koné has been recruited to play a central role. Freed by financial fair play this summer, Roma has been very active on the transfer market. Some elements left the club like Karsdorp (PSV), Abraham (AC Milan), Aouar (Al-Ittihad), Bove (Fiorentina), Belotti (Como), Smalling (Al-Fayha), Joao Costa (Al -Ettifaq), Kumbulla (Espanyol), Rui Patricio (Atalanta) or Spinazzola (Naples). In addition, striker Lukaku was not retained after his loan. The Louve club, on the other hand, made great efforts to attract defenders Hummels (Dortmund), Hermoso (Atlético Madrid), Angelino (Leipzig), Dahl (Djurgarden) and Abdulhamid (Al-Hilal), midfielders Le Fée (Rennes ) and Koné (Monchengladbach) and attackers Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Dovbyk (Girona) and Soulé (Juventus).

Udinese must still do without Chilean international Alexis Sanchez, who returned to the club this summer but is unfortunately injured. Furthermore, the long-term absentee Deulofeu sees the end of the tunnel but is announced as uncertain. In sparkling form at the start of the season, former Marseillais Thauvin (3 goals and 1 assist in SA) scored a double on the last day. He forms an interesting offensive duo with Lucca (2 goals in SA). This summer, notably left the executive defender Perez (Porto) and the very important midfielder Samardzic (Atalanta). We can also mention the departures of Matheus Martins (Botafogo), Walace (Cruzeiro), Masina (Torino), Roberto Pereyra (AEK Athens), Ebosele (Watford) and Success (without a club). After convincing during his loan last year, the Lucca (Pisa) striker has definitely committed. The goalkeeper Sava (Cluj), the full-back Esteves (Sporting), the defender Touré (Lorient), the midfielders Ekkelenkamp (Antwerp), Atta (Metz) and Karlström (Lech Poznan) and the attackers Pizarro (Colo Colo), Alexis Sanchez ( Inter), Rui Modesto (AIK) and Bayo (Watford) were also recruited.