Still unbeaten in Serie A since the opening day, Udinese host mid-table Torino on Sunday afternoon at the Dacia Arena.
Though they were finally felled by Monza in their midweek Coppa Italia tie, the Bianconeri sat sixth in the standings after the first 10 rounds - some 10 points ahead of their latest opponents.
Match preview
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Having won four of their previous five games to sit on the shoulder of Serie A's top teams, Udinese embarked on last week's trip to face fellow form side Lazio full of confidence and harbouring a certain amount of expectation.
Indeed, Andrea Sottil's side managed to hold their hosts goalless - a major feat, given the Aquile's frightening form in the opposition area - and remain level on points with them after a close-fought encounter in the capital.
After also sharing the spoils with another top-six side, Atalanta, the Bianconeri have drawn both of their last two league matches, but remain unbeaten in nine and could now post 10 without defeat for the first time since 2011.
They may be among the division's top scorers, but under Sottil - who was appointed in the summer - Udinese have also won the most tackles (110) and boast the best percentage of tackles won (61.5%) in Serie A this season: they certainly punch above their weight.
However, the Friulani were caught off guard by fast-improving Monza on Wednesday night, as they succumbed to a first loss since August - exiting the Coppa Italia after a 3-2 home defeat to the top-flight newcomers.
Sottil saw his side let a 2-1 advantage slip in the latter stages, after a brace from the unlikely source of Nehuen Perez had put them in front, so will be eager to return to winning ways this weekend, after a three-game streak without victory.
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Despite losing on their most recent visit to the Friuli, in their last 10 Serie A meetings with Sunday's hosts in Udine, Torino have won four times and drawn twice.
However, the contrast in recent form between the two clubs will see the Granata take to the field as the unfancied outsiders on this occasion: they have lost five of their last seven league games.
In fact, no side has suffered more losses in Serie A during that period, as a promising start to the campaign continues to unravel in front of Ivan Juric's eyes.
After last week's Derby della Mole defeat to arch-rivals Juventus - with Dusan Vlahovic's 74th-minute strike deciding the outcome - the Croatian coach has witnessed his team concede six times in the last 20 minutes of play this season. That represents half the goals that they have let in thus far.
Nonetheless, Torino have still earned the same number of points from their first 10 fixtures as at this point last year, and they halted a five-game winless run by beating Serie B side Cittadella on Tuesday; sealing a place in the last-16 of the Coppa Italia, where they meet Milan at the start of next year.
Team News
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Having rotated his resources in the midweek defeat to Monza, Udinese coach Andrea Sottil is set to name a more familiar XI on Sunday, though one defensive regular will be missing.
Rodrigo Becao must serve a suspension for accumulated yellow cards, so Enzo Ebosse may keep his place in the hosts' back three. Jaka Bijol should also start after being rested on Wednesday.
Up front, Sottil has alternated between Beto and Isaac Success so far, with both men having made five appearances from the start and five as a substitute.
A certainty for selection when fit, Gerard Deulofeu has been involved in the most shot-creating actions of any Serie A player this season (66 in total: 32 shots and 34 chances). The Spanish star has also hit the woodwork the most times (four) and completed the most dribbles among forwards (16).
Meanwhile, Torino named a relatively strong team for their Coppa Italia tie on Tuesday, and after Pietro Pellegri was among the scorers against Cittadella, he could retain his place as the visitors' centre-forward ahead of Antonio Sanabria, who missed the Turin derby due to injury.
Ivan Juric benefits from a clean bill of health in his squad, so can choose from between Nemanja Radonjic, Aleksei Miranchuk and three-goal top goalscorer Nikola Vlasic to provide support to the lone man up front.
Udinese possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Perez, Bijol, Ebosse; Pereyra, Samardzic, Walace, Makengo, Udogie; Deulofeu, Beto
Torino possible starting lineup:
Milinkovic-Savic; Djidji, Schuurs, Rodriguez; Aina, Lukic, Ricci, Vojvoda; Radonjic, Vlasic; Pellegrini
We say: Udinese 2-1 Torino
Udinese and Torino have not drawn a Serie A match since September 2018, and that run could continue, as the former's front-foot approach pays off once again. The visitors lack a consistent goal threat, while their hosts already have 11 different names on the scoresheet this term.
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