Trabzonspor vs Udinese: prediction and odds

The curtain falls on preseason preparations as Trabzonspor face Udinese in a final friendly before the new campaign kicks off. The Turkish side, bronze medalists in last season’s Süper Lig and Turkish Cup winners, are looking to shake off a sluggish summer. Their record against Serie A opposition is grim: no wins in nine previous meetings, with six losses and three draws. Udinese, perennial mid-table dwellers in Italy, arrive with their own set of preseason struggles, but the stylistic matchup may tilt the balance in their favor.

Tactical Analysis: Trabzonspor

Fatih Tekke, the coach familiar to fans from his time in Saint Petersburg, has kept his job after a successful season. Yet his side’s summer form has been alarming: two defeats, 0-3 to Eintracht Frankfurt and 0-1 to Al Sadd, and not a single goal scored. Against the German side, Trabzonspor struggled to build out from under pressure; against the Qataris, they dominated possession but could not break down a low block. Tekke has been rotating heavily, testing reserves and new signings in both short-passing combinations and wide crosses. The ideas are not clicking yet, partly due to high training loads.

The summer transfer window saw ten new arrivals, but only one has impressed so far: left-back Sidney Cabral from Benfica, who pushes forward confidently to create width. The marquee signing, left winger Aral Şimşir from Midtjylland, has been anonymous in two appearances. The attack remains blunt, and the midfield lacks cohesion. With no goals in two friendlies, the pressure is on to find the net before the season starts.

Tactical Analysis: Udinese

Kosta Runjaić’s position is secure; the Pozzo family is content with mid-table finishes in both seasons under the German coach. But Udinese’s preseason has been winless: draws with Istra 2-2 and Mainz 3-3, losses to Swansea 0-2 and Al-Shabab 1-2. Runjaić sticks to his 3-5-2 base but rotates heavily. With two friendlies in two days (they faced Mainz on August 1), Sunday’s lineup will feature players who saw minimal minutes on Saturday. The squad depth allows two competitive XIs.

The key issue is creativity. Central midfielder Arthur Atta was sold to Fiorentina, and no adequate replacement has been found. The hardworking trio of Miller, Lovric, and Zarraga has Serie A experience but lacks flair. New signing Unai Gómez from Athletic Bilbao has not impressed, and forward Idrissa Gueye looks like a squad player for now. Another summer addition, Georgi Chakvetadze from sister club Watford, is sidelined with an injury until at least September. The defense has been porous, conceding at least two goals in every friendly, and starting goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is also injured.

Predicted Lineups

Trabzonspor (4-5-1): Onana – Pina, Savic, Nwaiwu, Cabral – Saviolo, Jaboul-Folcarelli, Bouchaoui, Malinovskyi, Şimşir – Onuachu Injured: Tufan, Yokushlu, Batagov Head coach: Fatih Tekke

Udinese (3-5-2): Piana – Palma, Kristensen, Sole – Goglichidze, Miller, Lovric, Zarraga, Ebosse – Buxa, Gueye Injured: Chakvetadze, Okoye, Zanoli Head coach: Kosta Runjaić

Prediction and Bet

Main prediction: Udinese win. Both sides are far from peak form, but the stylistic edge belongs to the Italians. Trabzonspor’s vulnerability to organized high pressing was exposed against Eintracht Frankfurt, and that is one of Runjaić’s primary weapons. The Turkish side also struggled to defend crosses from wide areas, which plays into the hands of Udinese’s physically imposing and aerially strong forwards. Expect the Friulians to exploit these weaknesses and secure a victory.

Second prediction: Both teams to score – Yes. Trabzonspor are overdue for a goal after two blanks, and Udinese’s defense has been far from solid – they have conceded at least two in every preseason match. Their overall run of conceding stretches back six games. With first-choice goalkeeper Okoye injured, the backline looks even more vulnerable. The Turkish side should find the net, but Udinese’s attacking quality should ensure they score as well. A bet on both teams to score carries solid logic.