Roma are currently tied at the top of the Serie A standings and will be looking to extend their unbeaten record when they travel to Udinese on Sunday.
Locked on 10 points with Atalanta heading into the fifth round of fixtures, the visitors defeated promoted Monza in midweek and take on a side who have only won back-to-back matches.
Udinese may have held Roma to a 1-1 draw in the teams’ most recent meeting at the Dacia Arena back in March, but generally trail their counterparts from the Eternal City.
However, they play their second home game in a matter of days bouyed by a midweek victory over Fiorentina, in which Beto scored his second goal in as many fixtures to claim all three points.
After also previously opening the scoring in a 2-1 victory over Monza, Udinese were out on the road, the forward is re-establishing his starting role up front, alongside Gerard Deolofeu, after a prolonged period out of form.
Udinese have now recovered from a slow start to collect the same number of points as they had at this stage last season with an identical goal difference.
Although ownership of top spot remains transitory at this early stage of proceedings, Roma will surely enjoy the psychological boost that comes from being back near the top after several years of stagnation.
Arriving off the back of a 3-0 vitctory over Monza through Paulo Dybala’s brace and a Roger Ibanez second-half goal, Roma have won three and drawn one of their matches so far, with their only failure to claim maximum points coming away to Juventus.
They have conceded only one goal in the process, being a Dusan Vlahovic free kick in Turin, and Jose Mourinho has certainly put his stamp on the capital city club after 12 months at the helm.
Udinese vs Roma head to head
The two teams have previously met on 62 occasions across all competitions, where Roma have claimed 34 victories while Udinese have won 16, and they have drawn in 12. Udinese have scored 68 goals and conceded 103. In their last five meetings, Roma have won three, Udinese one with one draw.
Roma 0-2 Udinese 02/07/22
Udinese 0-1 Roma 03/10/20
Roma 3-0 Udinese 14/02/21
Roma 1-0 Udinese 23/09/21
Udinese 1-1 Roma 13/03/22
Udinese latest home form
Udinese have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Fiorentina 1-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded five.
Udinese 2-1 Pafos 25/07/22
Udinese 1-3 Chelsea 29/07/22
Udinese 2-1 FeralpiSalo 05/08/22
Udinese 0-0 Salernitana 20/08/22
Udinese 1-0 Fiorentina 31/08/22
Udinese latest away form
Udinese have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their seven most recent matches. They managed to defeat Monza 2-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 13 goals and conceded six.
Fiorentina 0-4 Udinese 27/04/22
Sassuolo 1-1 Udinese 07/05/22
Salernitana 0-4 Udinese 22/05/22
AC Milan 4-2 Udinese 13/08/22
Monza 1-2 Udinese 26/08/22
Roma latest home form
Roma have recently been on a good run of form at home, and have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Monza 3-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded just one.
Roma 2-0 Portimonense 16/07/22
Roma 1-1 Nice 23/07/22
Roma 5-0 Shakhtar Donetsk 07/08/22
Roma 1-0 Cremonese 22/08/22
Roma 3-0 Monza 30/08/22
Roma latest away form
Roma have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Juventus in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded four.
Torino 0-3 Roma 20/05/22
Sporting Lisbon 3-2 Roma 19/07/22
Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Roma 30/07/22
Salernitana 0-1 Roma 14/08/22
Juventus 1-1 Roma 27/08/22
Udinese news
Defender Adam Masina was stretchered off during the win over Fiorentina, with subsequent tests revealing a serious knee injury, so Bram Nuytinck should return to the side on Sunday.
Nehuen Perez is back after a two-game suspension and he could either slot into the back three or feature on the right side.
Roma news
Still missing Nicolo Zaniolo and longer-term absentee Georginio Wijnaldum through injury, Roma will at least have Andrea Belotti at their disposal, as he made his debut from the bench in midweek.
Wing-backs Nicola Zalewski and Zeki Celik could drop out of the side, with Leonardo Spinazzola and Rick Karsdorp returning on the flanks instead.
Prediction and Odds
It is tempting to think that Roma may turn their attention away from the ball between midweek action and the start of their European adventure.
However, the depth in their squad this season may still allow them to pick up points by turning to their bench, even though Udinese may run them close.
Odds: 1 2.30 X 2.05 2 2.23
Probable outcomes
Udinese 0-1 Roma
Udinese 0-2 Roma
Udinese 1-2 Roma
Udinese 2-3 Roma
Udinese 1-1 Roma
