Enjoy your best form of the season, Cagliari I will make the long journey north to meet Udinese on Friday evening and were aiming for their third win from four games in Serie A.

The Sardinian side has suddenly become smaller the points deficit to their hosts, who missed the chance to sneak into the top four by losing to 10-man AC Milan.

Game preview

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Udinese left the San Siro frustrated by their 1-0 defeat to Milan after two goals were disallowed, including one that was canceled for offside in second-half stoppage time.

Having been playing with an extra man for more than an hour, the Bianconeri might have expected to cancel out their hosts' early lead, but in the end they only managed one legitimate shot on target.

A win would have extended a great start to the head coach's tenure Kosta Runjaicwho took over a team that was perilously close to relegation last season, but is still just six points away from it Serie A leaders Napoli after eight rounds.

In addition to four league wins, Udinese also recorded two wins in the Coppa Italia against second division opponents, which led to an appetizing round of 16 clash against Inter Milan in December.

Until then, the Friulani face a packed schedule in the top flight, starting with Friday's game against Cagliari, with whom they shared victory twice in Serie A last season.

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Cagliari not only avoided defeat in these two encounters, but also won the cup tie between the clubs with a dramatic 2-1 win after extra time in Udine.

Given their recent upturn in form, the Rossoblu should have a good chance of repeating that success 11 months later as they head north with three excellent results.

David NicolaThe Italian side relied on late goals to claim their first league win of the season against newly promoted Parma, before seeing off Scudetto contenders Juventus in early October and securing a 1-1 draw.

After returning from the international break, Cagliari let a lead slip against Torino before turning the game around in the final 20 minutes to score a five-goal thriller in Sardinia.

Nicola was also responsible for the Coppa Italia victories against Serie B sides Carrarese and Cremonese, which set up another meeting with Juve, so his first few months in charge of the Isolani can generally be considered a success.

Udinese Serie A form:

Udinese form (all competitions):

Cagliari Serie A form:

Cagliari form (all competitions):

Team news

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Italy's striker Lorenzo Lucca and French striker Florian Thauvin were the pioneers of Udinese Serie A top scorers Each has scored three goals so far this season and their partnership could resume this weekend.

The latter is hoping to return after a hip problem but is a good striker Alexis Sanchez Due to a calf injury, he has to wait a while for his second debut for the Friulians.

Central defender Thomas Kristensen is the only possible loss for the hosts as he continues to struggle with muscle problems. Therefore, Kosta Runjaic should remain loyal to the majority of the starting eleven that played against Milan.

Meanwhile, Cagliari expects to get by without Jakub Jankto And Leonardo Pavoletti again, but Adam Obert could be back in action after an adductor injury that caused him to leave Slovakia's UEFA Nations League camp early.

Davide Nicola may even name an unchanged team on Friday evening Yerry Mina And Sebastian Luperto – The latter has not missed a single minute of play in the league so far – and starts at the heart of the Isolani defense.

Udinese possible starting lineup:
Okoye; Kabasele, Bijol, Toure; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Zarraga, Zemura; Thauvin, Lucca

Cagliari possible starting lineup:
handcuffs; Zappa, Mina, Luperto; Zortea, Makoumbou, Adopo, Augello; viola, luvumbo; Piccoli

We say: Udinese 1-0 Cagliari

Neither team is particularly productive, so the game could be decided by a single goal – and Udinese are the narrow favorites to score that goal.

The hosts have made a good start to the 2024-25 season, while Cagliari are often less effective away from Sardinian soil.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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