Italian Serie A
2018-12-09 - Udinese vs Atalanta
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Football: Italy Serie A
9th December 2018 – Kickoff 15:00 [Italy Time]
Introduction:
Udinese have been a transformed side since Coach Davide Nicola took over and now they will welcome Atalanta who will be struggling to cope without Josip Ilicic who is suspended for this clash.
Udinese
Udinese brought in former Crotone boss Nicola after sacking Julio Velazquez and that brought an immediate impact after they beat AS Roma in his first match in charge.
After that Udinese managed a goalless draw away to Sassuolo cannot be considered as a bad result as they are still without the likes of Lukasz Teodorczyk, Emmanuel Badu, Samir and Svante Ingelsson who are out on long term injuries.
Udinese's home form has seen them win just one out of their last six matches played at home, but that was their last match at home against AS Roma. Now Nicola will aim to become the first Udinese Coach to avoid defeat in his opening three Serie A games since Giovanni Galeone’s run of seven in 2005-06.
As for the team news, Antonin Barak and Valon Behrami are rated doubtful, but the good news is that Kevin Lasagna should now start and will be supported by on form Rodrigo De Paul in the side.
Atalanta
Atalanta are quite an unpredictable side in Serie A as they did managed four consecutive wins including beating Inter Milan 4-1 to even suffering consecutive defeats to the likes of Empoli and Napoli.
One thing was obvious in those defeats and that is the absence of Ilicic. Gian Piero Gasperini has no replacement for him in the side and his absence here will be a big absence for them.
The statistics back that up as Atalanta have won just one of their five games played without Ilicic in Serie A this season, drawing one and losing the other three. After beating the likes of Chievo 5-1 and Bologna 2-1 they lost their last away game to Empoli by 3-2.
Past Meetings:
For the record, Atalanta have not won any of their last seven Serie A trips to Udine, drawing three and losing four.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Udinese 1-1 Atalanta
