The Round 17 Serie A match between Udinese and Lazio will take place on December 27 at the Friuli Stadium. Udinese vs. Lazio: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Udinese
In the last two rounds under Kosta Runjaić the team delivered two completely contrasting results – first they beat Napoli (1-0), then they were comfortably beaten by Fiorentina, who had not won earlier this Serie A season (1-5). That defeat was Udinese's heaviest of the current campaign, and the club conceded more than four goals for the first time since the 2020/21 season. At the same time, Udinese failed to finish goalless in 10 of their previous 12 Serie A matches. In the table the club have 21 points and sit 12th.
- The club has failed to win in 10 of their last 13 home league matches (3 draws, 7 defeats).
- Udinese have scored in 8 of their last 10 home Serie A fixtures.
- The team have kept a clean sheet in only 3 of their last 13 league matches.
Predicted Udinese line-up (3-5-2)
Maduka Okoye – Nicolo Bertola, Umar Sole, Christian Kabasele – Alessandro Zanoli, Jakub Petrovsky, Jesper Karlström, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Thomas Kristensen – Nicolo Zaniolo, Kynan Davis.
Defender Jordan Zemmour and midfielder Artur Atta will miss the game through injury. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is suspended. Also absent due to Africa Cup of Nations commitments are defender Rui Modesto and forward Vakoun Bayo.
Lazio
Maurizio Sarri's side were held at home by Cremonese last time out (0-0). Nevertheless, Lazio have picked up points in 10 of their last 12 league games (5 wins, 5 draws). They have also kept six clean sheets in their last ten Serie A matches. On the other hand, the team have failed to score more than once in eight of those fixtures. The Romans have 23 points and occupy eighth place. Notably, Lazio have conceded the second-fewest goals in the division (11), behind only Roma.
- The club have failed to win in 7 of their last 9 away Serie A games (3 draws, 4 defeats).
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in eight of the team's recent away league matches.
- No more than two goals were scored in 7 of Lazio's last 8 away Serie A fixtures.
Predicted Lazio line-up (4-5-1)
Ivan Provedel – Adam Marusic, Luca Pellegrini, Alessio Romagnoli, Mario Hila – Matteo Kanchelskis, Danilo Cataldi, Matias Vecino, Matteo Guendouzi, Pedro – Valentin Castellanos.
Defender Samuel Gigot, midfielder Nicolò Rovella and forward Gustav Isaksen are sidelined with injuries. Midfielders Matteo Guendouzi and Toma Bašić are suspended. In addition, midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and forward Boulaye Dia are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Referee
Andrea Colombo (Italy)
Matches – 5 (Serie A, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 20;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 29;
Penalties – 20%.
Udinese vs. Lazio: Match Prediction
Runjaić's side are inconsistent in results, but they have struggled for goals even at home. In their last 14 Serie A home games Udinese managed to score more than once on only two occasions and were held scoreless in five matches over that run. Defensively they can be compact: this season they have kept clean sheets at home even against the likes of Atalanta and Napoli.
Lazio under Sarri are noticeably better defensively: they have conceded just 11 goals in 16 rounds and are second only to Roma in that respect. In six recent away league matches the Romans have kept four clean sheets, and they have conceded more than one goal on only two occasions on the road this season. Conversely, their attacking output on the road has been limited: Lazio have scored just four goals in eight away matches and failed to score in six of those games.
I do not expect this to be a high-scoring affair, so my prediction: Total under 2.5
*For each team the starting XI is taken from their previous match in this competition.