Udinese vs AC Milan Serie A Odds & Preview
Rossoneri Going for Fourth Straight League Win
Udinese a Tough Team to Beat
Only four teams have fewer losses in Serie A than Udinese this season: Inter Milan, Juventus, AC Milan, and Bologna. On Saturday, Udinese host AC Milan in a Serie A clash as the Rossoneri go for their fourth straight league victory. While Udinese have avoided defeat in 14 of their 20 matches so far, they’re in 16th place and need the points this weekend. Ahead of this match in Udine, we’ll look at the Udinese vs AC Milan Serie A odds.
Udinese vs AC Milan
Location: Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy
Day/Time:
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Head-to-Head:
This is the second opportunity for soccer betting on this fixture this season. In November, Udinese got their first win of the season by defeating AC Milan 1-0 at the San Siro. Roberto Pereyra scored on a penalty for the game’s only goal. The Udinese vs AC Milan Serie A odds priced the Friulani as +650 pregame underdogs. Pereyra also scored last season when Udinese defeated the Rossoneri 3-1 at home. In fact, Udinese have lost just one of their previous six matches vs. AC Milan, with a 2-3-1 record during that time.
Udinese Can’t Seem to Buy a Win
Udinese have lost just six times in 20 matches this season, but they’re in 16th place in the Serie A standings heading into the weekend. At just one point ahead of 18th-placed Verona, Udinese are in a precarious position, and they may become embroiled in a relegation fight. Last time out, the Friulani managed to pick up a 2-2 draw at Fiorentina. Udinese midfielder Sandi Lovric opened the scoring in the 10th minute, which was his first goal of the season.
Lucas Beltran equalized in the second half, but Florian Thauvin put the Friulani back ahead with around 20 minutes to play. Headed for just their third win of the 2023-24 campaign, Udinese conceded a late penalty, which M’Bala Nzola converted. It was Udinese’s 12th draw of the season and third in their last five games.
Udinese have lost just one of their last five matches, but wins have been exceedingly rare. Notably, both of their wins this season have come over teams in the top half. Lorenzo Lucca has been the critical man up top, with six Serie A goals so far. Defender Jaka Bijol is listed as doubtful for the match, but no Udinese players are away at the Africa Cup of Nations or AFC Asian Cup.
Injury Crisis Hampers AC Milan Backline
AC Milan got their third straight win by defeating AS Roma 3-1 on Sunday. French midfielder Yacine Adli opened up the scoring with his first Serie A goal for the Rossoneri. Adli was also involved in Milan’s second goal, whipping in a cross that Simon Kjaer headed across the face of goal for Olivier Giroud to head home. Giroud picked up an assist later on when Theo Hernandez sent a thunderous strike into the back of the net. Leandro Paredes scored a consolation penalty for Roma, who sacked Jose Mourinho after the defeat.
Nine points behind rivals Inter Milan, AC Milan show +1600 Serie A title odds at the moment, and they’re by no means out of the race just yet. With Rade Krunic off on loan to Fenerbahce and Ismael Bennacer off at the Africa Cup of Nations, expect Adli to play a more significant role over the coming months. Winger Samuel Chukwueze is also at AFCON, with Nigeria, while a number of Rossoneri players are injured.
Alessandro Florenzi and Malick Thiaw are listed as doubtful for Saturday’s match, while fellow defenders Pierre Kalulu and Fikayo Tomori are out. Expect Matteo Gabbia and Simon Kjaer to start at center back once again, as Stefano Pioli has an injury crisis on his hands. Gabbia was on loan at Villarreal but was recalled early just a couple of weeks ago. Midfielder Tommaso Pobega is also out. Regardless, the frontline has been playing well, and Giroud just reached 10 Serie A goals for the season.
Match Analysis & Odds
Udinese’s home and away records are identical this season at 1-6-3. Since Gabriele Cioffi took over as manager in October, there’s been a slight improvement. Udinese gained just six points from their first nine matches of the season. Since Cioffi’s appointment, they’ve managed 12 points in 11 games and only two wins. Here, the Udinese vs AC Milan Serie A odds price the Friulani as +320 home underdogs.
Wins for AC Milan in this fixture have been rare over the last few seasons, but the Rossoneri are -110 ATS and moneyline favorites for this one. A draw, which has occurred in 60 percent of Udinese’s matches so far, comes in at +270. Bettors can also take Udinese +0.5 at -110.
Milan failed to score in the reverse fixture, and it’s hard to envision lightning striking twice. With Rafa Leao, Christian Pulisic, and the in-form Olivier Giroud, they should get on the scoresheet at the very least. Three of the last six meetings have finished 1-1, but over 2.5 goals sit at -115 odds.
For Serie A betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
