PREDICTED LINE-UPS | Udinese v Milan

Milan will hope to keep the pressure on the top two when they face Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium tonight.

Udinese approach this match on the back of two consecutive winless games. The Friulani have been unable to cater to their expectations this season as they are just a point safe from the relegation zone. Losing tonight will mount tension upon manager Gabriele Cioffi, making it tough for them to fight the dropzone battle. The 3-0 victory against Bologna gave them some breathing space but they were soon put to the ground with that 2-1 defeat to Lazio. In their previous outing, Udinese were pegged back twice by Fiorentina as they could not settle with their game. 

Meanwhile, Milan got back to winning ways with the 3-1 win over Roma after bowing out of the Coppa Italia. Yacine Adli, Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez were on the scoresheet as they ensured Jose Mourinho’s sacking after the match. The Rossoneri went a bit off-form before Christmas and that took away the wind from their sails in a potential title charge. However, they are looking back on track with three wins in their previous three Serie A games. Stefano Pioli’s men are nine points away from league leaders Inter and five points from 2nd-placed Juventus. With a few wins, the deficit can be shortened and a late title charge could be mounted. 

Here are the predicted line-ups for the match:

Udinese (3-5-1-1): Okoye; Ferreira, Perez, Kristensen; Ebosele, Payero, Walace, Lovric, Kamara; Pereyra; Lucca

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Gabbia, Hernandez; Reijnders, Adli; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN