Udinese vs Torino
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Monday, 31 October 2016
Kick-Off: 18:00 UK,
Venue: Dacia Arena (Udine).
Have Udinese finally turned a corner? Fans will certainly be hoping so. After a rough start, the Zebrette have managed to string together two wins on the trot. It was especially notable considering that they had lost three in a row prior to that. However, their tendency to ship goals is still a major issue.
Udinese have conceded in their past seven matches, with their last clean sheet taking place on September 11th when they beat AC Milan 1-0. They have only managed to keep a clean sheet in 20 per cent of their home fixtures, but their attack appears to have picked up somewhat. In their past two matches, Udinese have scored six goals. They had only netted seven in eight matches prior to that.
Although both these wins were against relegation candidates Palermo and Pescara, it still will have helped to boost the confidence of a team who themselves are hoping to move as far away from the drop zone as possible. Meanwhile, their upcoming opponents Torino have been in a funk as of late. After three consecutive wins, the Granata have picked up just one point from their past two games.
They arrive in Udine having failed to get anything out of their last match, which ended up as a 2-1 loss to Inter. Joe Hart was culpable for both goals in a rather disappointing showing from the English international, and his manager will hope the shot-stopper can put that behind him as they hope to recover from their recent slump.
For the visitors, Adem Ljajic is one player who has looked sharp since returning from injury. The Serbian has scored three goals in his past three starts, and his compatriot manager Sinisa Mihajlovic will be again relying on him after he was rather subdued against the Nerazzurri midweek due to apparently feeling under the weather.
Udinese vs Torino: Head-to-head statistics
- Udinese are 4-4-12 in their last 20 home games against teams ranked above them in the table.
- The Zebrette have won five out of their last seven home ties against Torino.
- The head to head record in Serie A between Udinese and Torino stands as 23 wins for the Zebrette, 20 for the Granata, and 19 draws.
- Neither side has drawn in their prior seven meetings. The Granata have won four times versus Udinese’s three.
- Torino are 10-5-5 in their last 20 away games against teams ranked below them in the table.
- The Granata have seen over 2.5 goals in 13 out of their last 15 games.
- The Zebrette have seen over 2.5 goals in seven out of Udinese’s last eight home matches.
Udinese vs Torino: Prediction
The prior two editions of this fixture have seen 11 goals, including six alone as Torino cruised to a 5-1 win over Udinese last season. As noted, there have been over 2.5 goals in the lion’s share of games for both Torino and Udinese. Both teams have some suspect defenses, and so seeing both on the scoresheet is certainly a huge possibility.
In terms of who’s expected to come out on top, Udinese have won four out of their last six ties at home against Torino. The Zebrette are looking slightly better at the moment, and two back to back wins for a side struggling will surely do wonders from their confidence. Torino may be still reeling after their loss to Inter, and Udinese will look to take advantage of any shakiness from Joe Hart in this one.
Udinese vs Torino: Betting tips
Over 2.5 goals at 17/20 (1.85)
Both teams to score – YES at 4/6 (1.67)
Double chance – Udinese to draw or win at 11/20 (1.55).
Source: bet365.com