Udinese host Fiorentina at the Stadio Friuli as Week 12 of Serie A resumes on Sunday.
Udinese may sit in 13th position in the table but are only three points off this weekend’s opponents, who currently occupy a Europa League spot. Both teams have managed to arrest a poor run of form in recent weeks, with Pasquale Marino’s side securing a victory and a draw after three consecutive defeats, and Cesare Prandelli’s charges’ weekend three points ending a run of four games without a win.
Creative duo Adrian Mutu and Stevan Jovetic missed last week’s win over Catania and are considered doubtful for this fixture as well.
Mario Santana is the likely beneficiary if either player fails to make the side, the Argentine winger himself only recently returning from a spell on the sidelines.
Former Evertonian Per Kroldrup is likely to come in for suspended Viola captain Dario Dainelli after the centre-back was harshly awarded a second yellow card in the weekend’s 3-1 victory. Summer signings Cesare Natali and Savio are still missing through injury.
Marino’s injury list is more extensive, with Nigerian central midfielder Christian Obodo, Chilean youngster Alexis Sanchez and forward Antonio Floro Flores among those set to sit out the tie.
Last season’s encounter saw the Little Zebras put a momentary blip in a wonderful run of seven wins in eight games for Prandelli’s players. At this point, Prandelli’s new 4-2-3-1 tactics, which have shown their limitations this campaign, were wreaking havoc on the rest of the Division, yet Udinese proved a thorn in Fiorentina’s side with a 3-1 victory.
D’Agostino’s double as well as an early strike from Ghanaian youngster Kwadwo Asamoah put paid to the Viola’s chances, with a second half response from Dainelli proving a mere consolation for the Florentine supporters.
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