Udinese vs. Roma probable line-ups and where to watch
Donyell Malen leads the line for Roma as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side visit Udinese, with Paulo Dybala still out. Nicolò Zaniolo faces his former club for the Bianconeri.
It kicks off at 18:00 CET [17:00 GMT] at the Bluenergy Stadium, with Fabio Maresca refereeing.
Roma are third on 21 points and still unbeaten in Serie A. They beat Cagliari 4-2 at the Olimpico on Tuesday, with Lulli, Niccolò Pisilli, Rodrigo Mora and Malen all scoring. Malen has seven league goals this season from just 12 shots on target. The Giallorossi travel to Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Udinese ended a run of six straight league defeats with Wednesday’s 0-0 draw at Parma. Maduka Okoye saved a penalty from Adrián Bernabé in that game. Kosta Runjaic’s side are on five points, and his position is still under scrutiny with a trip to Venezia to come after this.
Udinese vs. Roma – team news
“Roma are fighting for the Scudetto, they’re a strong side, but against the big teams you never start without hope,” Runjaic said. He added that Zaniolo and Keinan Davis would both play despite not being fully fit.
Dybala (calf) is not in Roma’s squad. Mile Svilar (toe), Manu Koné (hamstring) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (hamstring) are also out. Gasperini has called up two Primavera players, Di Nunzio and Camara.
Udinese are without Oumar Solet, Bayo, David Alaba, Gueye and Alessandro Zanoli. Solet and Bayo have returned to training and are aiming for the Venezia game. Bertola is available despite finishing the Parma match exhausted.
Neither side has any players suspended. Jesper Karlström is one booking away from a ban.
There are plenty of selection doubts in the Roma defence:
According to Tuttosport, Gianluca Mancini starts alongside Evan Ndicka and Mario Hermoso. Voce Giallorossa has Ghilardi in for Mancini. Meanwhile, Fantacalcio expects Leonardo Balerdi to replace Ndicka after recovering from the knock he took at Napoli.
Wesley is set to return on the left. Bryan Cristante is expected to start in midfield alongside either Pisilli or Marten de Roon, and Mora and Matías Soulé support Malen.
For Udinese, Runjaic has said there will be only minor changes from the Parma draw. Jakub Piotrowski is battling Chakvetadze for a midfield spot, as Piotrowski isn’t yet fit to last 90 minutes.
Udinese vs. Roma – where to watch on TV
The match is live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland, and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog, with Udinese-Roma followed by Milan-Inter.
Udinese vs. Roma – probable line-ups
Udinese (3-4-2-1): Okoye; Palma, Kabasele, Abankwah; Vojvoda, Karlström, Piotrowski, Kamara; Ekkelenkamp, Zaniolo; Davis.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen.
