| Match Details | Information |
| Competition | Serie A – (Italy) |
| Round | 21 |
| Date & Time | 2026-01-17, 15:00 – (Include timezone BST/GMT). |
| Stadium | Dacia Arena |
Prediction – Udinese 3 – 2 Inter
Recent Form
As Udinese prepares to face Inter in the 21st round of Serie A at the Dacia Arena, both teams enter the match with contrasting recent performances. Udinese shows a mixed form in their last five league matches, with two victories, two draws, and a loss. They achieved a notable 5-1 victory against Fiorentina, showcasing their offensive capabilities, and secured a narrow 1-0 win over Como. However, Udinese’s defense has been inconsistent, as evidenced by their 2-2 draw against Pisa and a 2-1 loss to Torino. Their ability to score is evident, but maintaining a robust defense will be crucial against a formidable opponent like Inter.Inter’s recent league form has been less convincing, with just one win in their last five matches. They managed a solid 3-1 victory over Bologna, but otherwise struggled, losing to Parma, Atalanta, and Genoa. A 2-2 draw with Napoli suggests they can compete against strong teams, yet their defensive vulnerabilities have been exposed in the losses. These results indicate that Inter may be struggling to find consistency, which could be a critical factor in their upcoming match against Udinese.In recent head-to-head encounters, Inter holds a slight edge over Udinese, winning three out of the last five meetings. However, Udinese’s victory in their latest encounter in August 2025 could provide them with a psychological boost. As these two sides clash, Udinese will aim to capitalize on their home advantage and recent head-to-head success, while Inter will be eager to rediscover their form and strengthen their position in the league standings.
Udinese Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Udinese Vs Pisa | 2-2 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 4 | 3 – 8 | 15 – 13 | 54% – 46% | 1 – 1 |
| Torino Vs Udinese | 2-1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 1 | 3 – 6 | 8 – 16 | 54% – 46% | 1 – 2 |
| Como Vs Udinese | 0-1 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 3 | 3 – 2 | 14 – 12 | 62% – 38% | 0 – 0 |
| Udinese Vs Lazio | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 4 | 5 – 6 | 14 – 19 | 46% – 54% | 1 – 0 |
| Fiorentina Vs Udinese | 1-5 | 0 – 1 | 3 – 1 | 1 – 4 | 8 – 10 | 63% – 37% | 4 – 1 |
Udinese’s recent performances in Serie A have showcased a mixed bag of results, reflecting both their potential and areas needing improvement. In their last five league matches, Udinese has managed to secure one victory, two draws, and two defeats. Their most notable win came against Fiorentina, where they dominated with a 5-1 victory despite having only 37% possession. This result highlighted their ability to capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities and convert them into goals. However, their inability to maintain consistency is evident from their draws against Pisa and Lazio, where lapses in concentration cost them valuable points.Analyzing their match statistics, Udinese seems to struggle with maintaining possession, as seen in games against Como and Fiorentina. Despite this, they have been effective in set-piece situations, as suggested by their higher number of free kicks won in most matches. Their defensive organization, though occasionally prone to conceding, has managed to avoid red cards, indicating discipline in high-pressure situations. The team’s discipline is further underscored by the relatively low number of yellow cards received in comparison to their opponents.The absence of Nicolò Zaniolo due to suspension is a significant blow to Udinese’s midfield creativity and goal-scoring capabilities. His absence may force Udinese to rely more heavily on players like Jurgen Ekkelenkamp and Alessandro Zanoli to step up in midfield, while Keinan Davis will be crucial in leading the attack. The predicted lineup suggests a solid defensive setup with Maduka Okoye in goal and a strong backline featuring Hassane Kamara and Christian Kabasele.Udinese’s approach against their next opponents might focus on defensive solidity and quick transitions, leveraging their counter-attacking strengths. However, the team will need to address their possession issues and ensure they capitalize on set-piece opportunities effectively. Overall, while Udinese has shown flashes of brilliance, maintaining consistency and adapting to the absence of key players will be critical in securing positive results as they continue their Serie A campaign.
Inter Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Inter Vs Napoli | 2-2 | 0 – 0 | 0 – 2 | 4 – 1 | 10 – 12 | 50% – 50% | 1 – 2 |
| Parma Vs Inter | 2-0 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 3 | 1 – 3 | 20 – 4 | 37% – 63% | 0 – 1 |
| Inter Vs Bologna | 3-1 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 3 | 7 – 1 | 21 – 20 | 58% – 42% | 2 – 1 |
| Atalanta Vs Inter | 1-0 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 1 | 4 – 7 | 12 – 8 | 45% – 55% | 0 – 1 |
| Genoa Vs Inter | 2-1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 1 – 6 | 20 – 10 | 36% – 64% | 1 – 1 |
Inter’s recent form in Serie A has been inconsistent, as evidenced by their last five league matches, which resulted in one win, one draw, and three losses. A noteworthy aspect of their performance is the balance in possession they have managed to maintain, with an average possession rate of around 58% across these games. Despite this, their ability to convert possession into goals has been lacking, as seen in their struggles against Parma and Atalanta, where they failed to score.The team has shown defensive vulnerabilities, which have been costly in their recent outings. The match against Genoa highlighted this issue, where they conceded two goals despite dominating possession and creating several opportunities. Inter’s defensive line, led by Francesco Acerbi, will need to be more cohesive and effective in dealing with opposition attacks, especially considering the absence of key playmaker Hakan Çalhanoğlu due to calf problems. His absence might affect their midfield creativity and transition play, leaving a gap that needs to be filled by the likes of Nicolò Barella and Piotr Zieliński.Offensively, Inter has shown potential, particularly in their 3-1 victory over Bologna, where their attacking duo of Ange-Yoan Bonny and Pio Esposito proved to be influential. The predicted lineup suggests a reliance on these forwards to break down defenses, supported by a midfield capable of creating scoring opportunities. The presence of Carlos Augusto and Luis Henrique in the midfield offers a dynamic approach that can adapt to both offensive and defensive situations.In preparation for their match at the Dacia Arena, Inter will likely focus on tightening their defensive structure while ensuring that their midfield remains a source of creativity and control. The team’s ability to capitalize on set-pieces, as seen in their corner statistics, could also be a significant factor in overcoming their recent struggles. Overall, Inter’s approach will need to be both disciplined and innovative to secure a positive result and regain momentum in the league.
Team News & Injuries
Udinese Injuries & Suspensions
- Nicolò Zaniolo (Yellow Card Suspension)
Inter Injuries & Suspensions
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Calf Problems)
Head-to-Head (H2H) Record & Summary
H2H Last 5
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Inter Vs Udinese (31 Aug 2025) | 1-2 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 3 | 13 – 2 | 5 – 16 | 68% – 32% | 1 – 1 |
| Inter Vs Udinese (30 Mar 2025) | 2-1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 0 | 2 – 4 | 14 – 8 | 60% – 40% | 2 – 0 |
| Udinese Vs Inter (28 Sep 2024) | 2-3 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 0 | 7 – 3 | 5 – 11 | 40% – 60% | 2 – 3 |
| Udinese Vs Inter (08 Apr 2024) | 1-2 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 2 | 0 – 8 | 0 – 0 | 23% – 77% | 1 – 0 |
| Inter Vs Udinese (09 Dec 2023) | 4-0 | 0 – 0 | 0 – 1 | 6 – 1 | 0 – 0 | 74% – 26% | 2 – 0 |
H2H Detailed Analysis
In recent encounters between Udinese and Inter, there has been a notable dominance by Inter, both in terms of results and match statistics. Over the last five meetings, Inter has emerged victorious in four instances, while Udinese claimed a rare win in their most recent clash in August 2025. This victory for Udinese, characterized by a 2-1 scoreline, broke a series of defeats against the Nerazzurri. However, the overall trend has been Inter’s superior performance, often marked by higher possession rates, more corners, and greater control over the match tempo. For instance, in their December 2023 face-off, Inter secured a commanding 4-0 victory, dominating possession with 74% and significantly outnumbering Udinese in corners and assists.The upcoming match at Dacia Arena could be influenced by key player absences. Udinese will be without Nicolò Zaniolo due to suspension, which may impact their midfield creativity and offensive thrust. Meanwhile, Inter faces the challenge of compensating for the absence of Hakan Çalhanoğlu, a central figure in their midfield. Despite these absences, Inter’s lineup remains formidable, with players like Nicolò Barella and Piotr Zieliński likely to maintain their midfield dominance. Udinese might lean on their defensive solidity, with Maduka Okoye in goal and a robust defensive line including Nicolò Bertola and Christian Kabasele. Given the historical context and current squad dynamics, Inter appears poised to continue their successful run against Udinese, but the latter has shown they can upset expectations, particularly when playing at home. The match promises to be a compelling contest between Inter’s attacking flair and Udinese’s resilience.
Predicted Lineups
- Formation: 4-4-2
- Players: Maduka Okoye (Goalkeeper),Hassane Kamara (Defender),Nicolò Bertola (Defender),Christian Kabasele (Defender),Oumar Solet (Defender),Jesper Karlström (Midfielder),Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (Midfielder),Lennon Miller (Midfielder),Alessandro Zanoli (Midfielder),Keinan Davis (Attacker), TBC (Attacker)
- Formation: 3-5-2
- Players: Yann Sommer (Goalkeeper),Francesco Acerbi (Defender),Yann Bisseck (Defender),Alessandro Bastoni (Defender),Piotr Zieliński (Midfielder),Petar Sučić (Midfielder),Luis Henrique (Midfielder),Nicolò Barella (Midfielder),Carlos Augusto (Midfielder),Ange-Yoan Bonny (Attacker),Pio Esposito (Attacker)