Match Preview :

Udinese who are high flying at the moment welcomes a depleted Milan side at the Stadio Friuli on Saturday in a game with very significant importance for both sides.

Udinese continued their inconsistent yo-yo performances this season when they went down to Fiorentina last Saturday. Despite their unpredictable record on the road, Udinese are unmatched at home with 10 wins and having dropped points on just one occasion.

Ahead of this match, Udinese manager Francesco Guidolin concedes his side needs to be “stronger, nastier, more clinical and ruthless.” They do have the fourth best defense in Serie A, but have not kept a clean sheet in 2012 and only once have they won by more than one goal – the 4-1 victory over Cesena. Guidolin lamented the fact that after taking the lead in Florence, Udinese did not put the game to an end.

Milan failed to capitalise on Juventus’ slip-up as they continue to struggle against fellow European sides. They played out a 0-0 draw with Napoli last Sunday in a match overshadowed by the Zlatan Ibrahimovic slapping incident. He misses this match after being handed a three match ban. Milan are a point behind Juventus heading into this match but Allegri have dismissed that that they are Scudetto favourites. They have played one match extra then Juventus though.

As it is Massimiliano Allegri’s side picked up just a point from their last two encounters and lost in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg with Juve, but Allegri does not believe the club is in crisis at the moment. It has to be said that Milan are strong on their travels but against the top seven they have won just once.

For the record last season it ended in a 0-0 draw. It is interesting to note that on the last 17 occasions, the most frequent result is a draw, while Milan have won 12 past encounters compared to Udinese’s 7.

Team News :

Udinese Team News :
Kwadwo Asamoah and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu remain at the African Cup of Nations and Guidolin is still without injured duo Paulo Barreto and Giampiero Pinzi heading into this clash.

Andrea Coda and Antonio Floro Flores will be given until kickoff to prove their fitness. Almen Abdi is on stanbby to partner Antonio Di Natale if Flores does not recover in time.

Milan Team News :
Milan have a huge list of absentees.

The likes of suspended duo of Ibrahimovic and Mark Van Bommel, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Mathieu Flamini, Antonio Cassano, Mario Yepes, Alberto Aquilani, Gennaro Gattuso, Alexandre Pato, Alexander Merkel, Rodney Strasser, Christian Abbiati and Alessandro Nesta are all injured.

Possible lineups

Udinese : Handanovic; Benatia, Danilo, Ferronetti; Basta, Isla, Pazienza, Fernandes, Armero; Abdi; Di Natale

A.C Milan : Amelia; Abate, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Emanuelson, Ambrosini, Nocerino; Seedorf; Robinho, El Shaarawy

Predictions

On level ball handicap, go for Udinese not to get beaten here as they have a strong home record this season.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Udinese 2-1 A.C Milan

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Go for Udinese to win here.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Main Bet :
On Level Ball Handicap, take Udinese not to lose here based on their good home form. Stakes are returned in the event of a draw.