Udinese vs Como: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

Como have shown remarkable progress since their return to Serie A, finishing the previous season inside the Champions League places. However, the lakeside outfit have never won away at Udine in their entire history. To make matters worse, over the last two campaigns, the Lombardy side failed to even find the back of the net at the Bluenergy Stadium.

Udinese: Runjaic’s Squad Hits the Ground Running

Udinese are one of Italian football’s most consistent presences, having stayed in the top flight without interruption since 1995. Their ownership is perfectly content with mid-table status, as the club’s philosophy revolves around developing and selling promising youngsters. Kosta Runjaić fits seamlessly into this long-established model — he aids the growth of talented players while implementing an athletic, direct brand of football. As is their custom, the Bianconeri entered the new season in outstanding physical shape. They wrapped up their pre-season preparations with three consecutive 1-0 victories, including a Coppa Italia first-round clash with Padova and two shortened 45-minute friendlies against Nottingham Forest and Barcelona.

The main summer departures were Arthur Atta and Thomas Kristensen. While the Friulians can easily replace the latter with any other tall, physical defender — of which they always have plenty — the loss of the French playmaker means even less creativity in the home side’s attacking play. To fill the void left by the midfielder who moved to Fiorentina, the arrival of Georgiy Chakvetadze from sister club Watford is expected to help with ball progression, but the Georgian is currently sidelined and won’t feature until at least matchday four.

Como: Defence Still a Work in Progress

With a debut Champions League campaign looming in September, Cesc Fàbregas’s men spent August facing opposition of a similar calibre in friendlies. However, they predictably came up short against Arsenal (1-1, loss on penalties) and Liverpool (0-2), exposing their main weaknesses — a disjointed revamped backline and frequent lapses in possession near their own box. These problems had already surfaced in July matches against far more modest opponents like Famalicão (3-2) and Paris FC (2-2).

Como refuse to abandon their trademark possession-based, high-pressing style, even against elite clubs, and they certainly won't change tack against a Serie A mid-table side. The issue lies in the summer signings of Brazilian full-backs Yan Couto and Caíque, who shine in the opponent’s half but often fail to track back in time. Now Fàbregas must integrate the high-profile centre-back Trevoh Chalobah, brought in from Chelsea for €30 million, into the system. The England international is expected to make his first start for the club in this very fixture.

Predicted Lineups

Udinese (3-4-2-1): Okoye – Abankwa, Palma, Solé – Vojvoda, Piotrowski, Carlström, Kamara – Zaniolo, Ekkelenkamp – Davis

Out: Chakvetadze, Zanoli (both injured), Kabassele (suspended)

Head coach: Kosta Runjaić

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez – Couto, Ramón, Chalobah, Caíque – Perrone, Da Cunha – Diao, Paz, Baturina – Douvikas

Out: Addai (injured)

Head coach: Cesc Fàbregas

Referee: Alberto Ruben Arena

Arena officiated 11 Serie A matches last season, and only on four occasions did he issue more than three yellow cards. What’s more, the referee has never shown a red card in a top-flight game throughout his entire career.

Prediction and Bet

Match Result Prediction: Udinese Double Chance (1X) at 2.07

Como have always found life difficult away in Udine, and this time will be no exception. Udinese may have lost their star man Arthur Atta, but the skills of that creative French midfielder won’t be needed to once again stifle a possession-heavy favourite. The timing of the match also works against Como — facing the Bianconeri right at the start of the season is bad luck. Under Kosta Runjaić, the Friulians are especially strong and motivated early in the campaign. It’s worth remembering that in each of the last two seasons, they went unbeaten in the first three matchdays, collecting seven points from a possible nine on both occasions. Expect the hosts to overwhelm their technically superior opponents with intense pressing and superior fitness — a basic formula that has even troubled Barcelona this summer. Back “Udinese not to lose” at 2.07.

Total Goals Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals at 1.69

Don’t expect a goal-fest from this encounter. Each of Udinese’s last four matches has featured exactly one goal, even though two of those lasted only 45 minutes. Como, too, have played exclusively low-scoring games this month, making “total goals under 2.5” at 1.69 the logical choice.