Serie A: Udine Date for Leaders Inter

Udinese vs Inter Milan

Al roads lead to the Dacia Arena on Saturday when Serie A league leaders Inter Milan take on tenth placed Udinese.

Cristian Chivu’s Inter drew 2-2 at home to Scudetto rivals Napoli last weekend and are due to host Lecce on Wednesday night. Kosta Runjaic’s Udinese have a week to prepare for the game after they drew 2-2 with Pisa last week, and that extra rest time will give the hosts an edge.

But the latest Serie A 2026 betting odds make I Nerazzurri the odds on favourites to win the Scudetto for a reason; Chivu’s men won six Serie A games on the run before meeting Napoli, dating back to a 1-0 loss in the Milan derby back in November. But in the meantime Inter have drawn with Bologna in the Italian Super Cup and lost twice in the Champions League, though they still sit in the top six of the European competiton.

Inter have a busy few months ahead, fighting at home and abroad, and an away game against a confident mid table side is never going to be a walk in the park.     

 

Talking Points

Zaniolo out for Udinese

Former Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo has been re-inventing himself in Udine this season, on loan from Galatasaray, and he is a happy boy back in Italy. But, after helping his side to a 2-1 victory against Torino, the 26 year old revealed he was carrying a knee injury and, though he started the 2-2 draw against Pisa, Zaniolo was substituted on 56 minutes and is now set for a minor operation. The surgery is likely to keep the star out of action for two or three weeks but the club is hopeful he will come back fit and firing in readiness for the run-in.

In Zaniolo’s absence Keinan Davis will be Udinese’s biggest goal threat and will hope to add to his five goals for the campaign. The 27 year old English forward has just racked up 50 appearances for Le Zebrette and is growing in confidence week by week; meanwhile Runjaic’s hand has been strengthened by the return of Ivorian striker Vakoun Bayo after the Cote D’Ivoire crashed out of the African Cup of Nations in a 3-2 quarter final loss to Egypt.              

 

Chivu is ready to rotate

Inter Milan’s fixture list has been heavy in the opening half of the campaign and it isn’t about to become any lighter; and the loss of attacking midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu for around a month has given Chivu an unwanted headache. With seven goals in 16 Serie A appearances he is the top scoring midfielder in the league, and so when Calhanoglu limped off during the 2-2 draw with Napoli you can forgive the Inter Milan bench for wincing.

The loss of Calhanoglu may change Inter’s stance on out of favour midfielder Davide Frattesi who has been the subject of an approach from Galatasaray and he may come back into the fold. I Nerazzurri have so far, been quiet in the January transfer window and Inter’s money men may now be more interested in buying than selling, with Bournemouth winger David Brookes on the radar.

And, with Chivu keen to avoid any more injuries to key players, we could see him shuffle his pack in a busy week. Reports in Italy suggest captain and centre forward Lautaro Martinez may well be rested for the midweek date with Lecce, allowing the in-form Marcus Thuram to continue in attack, with French youngster Ange-Yoan Bonny also pushing for a start.

I suspect Udinese would prefer to see Martinez rested for their date on Saturday…but I doubt they will get their wish.           

 

History

I Nerazzurri have bossed their head to head meetings with le Zebrette, winning 29 from 51, while Udinese have won ten and there have been 12 draws. And at the Dacia Arena the men of Milan have had plenty of success with 12 wins to four, and there have been nine draws.

In fact Inter had won six of these encounters on the bounce, until this season when Udinese took a 2-1 victory away from Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in August as Davies scored a penalty and assisted a second in one of the shock Serie A 2026 results of the early season.

In terms of recent form, I Nerazzurri have been very strong with four wins and two defeats while Udinese have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six outings.

 

Betting Tip

Udinese are out at SBOTOP odds of 7.00 to win this fascinating clash with Inter Milan at 1.45 and a draw at 4.50 and, while I Nerazzurri are clear favourites, I don’t think they’ll find it easy against a Udinese side in decent form and with an extra four days to prepare.   

   

●●●

CHEC OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, X and Instagram.