Prediction: Udinese vs Juventus

Verdict: Juventus win & Juventus to score over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

With the 2021/22 Serie A campaign getting underway this weekend, Juventus will look to get off to a flying start when they make the trip to Udinese on Sunday evening.

Udinese

Starting with the hosts, managing to extend on their Serie A status last season by eventually confirming their safety with time to spare, Udinese have enjoyed a summer bounce heading into this weekend’s opener. Last seen on August 13th picking up a 3-1 victory against Serie B outfit Ascoli in the Coppa Italia, The White and Blacks also signed off their preparations with back-to-back friendly wins against Empoli and Cjarlins Muzane. However, with Head Coach Luca Gotti knowing that his side will face a stern test on home soil this weekend, they did sign off the 2020/21 campaign with an extended blip. Including heading into their summer break on the wrong end of a 5-1 drumming against Italian champions Inter Milan, Udinese managed to pick up just a single point from their final five Serie A matchups. More worrying for last year’s hometown strugglers, they also collected just a single point from any of their last six contests at the Stadio Friuli.

Team News

The former Watford duo of Roberto Pereyra and Gerard Deulofeu should start in attack for Udinese on Sunday evening.

Making the move from Verona over the summer, new keeper Marco Silvestri should start between the sticks this weekend.

Juventus

As for the visitors, only just about managing to clinch a Champions League spot on the final weekend, there is no doubt that Juventus are in search of some stability this season. Making the decision to appoint former boss Massimiliano Allegri over the summer, The Old Lady at least managed to sign off their pre-season run with a much-welcomed boost. Bouncing back from that thumping 3-0 defeat away at Spanish giants Barcelona, I Bianconeri picked up a 3-1 win against Atalanta. Desperate to try and reclaim their Serie A crown this year, Juve will be hoping to start off where they finished back in May. Last seen ending the 2020/21 campaign with a thumping 4-1 win away at Bologna, Allegri’s new squad picked up 17 points from their final seven matchups. Looking to lay down an early marker on Sunday evening, they should also be boosted by a rampant record against Udinese. Including a 2-1 win back in May, The Old Lady have won eight of their last nine matchups against The Little Zebras.

Team News

Despite much speculation around his future over the summer, Cristiano Ronaldo will lead Juventus’ charge this weekend and could be joined by Paulo Dybala in attack.

Both impressing at this year’s European Championships, the Italian duo of Leonardo Bonucci and Federico Chiesa should also get the nod.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back in May, Juventus picked up a 2-1 victory at the Stadio Friuli.
• In fact, Sunday’s guests have won eight of their last nine meetings against Udinese.
• This weekend’s hosts managed to collect just a single point from any of their final six Serie A matchups on home soil.
• Cristiano Ronaldo picked up 45 goals for club and country throughout the 2020/21 campaign.
• Each of the last six meetings between Sunday’s opponents have finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Managing to snatch a Champions League spot on the final weekend back in May, Juventus and new boss Massimiliano Allegri should be looking to open their campaign with a flurry on Sunday evening. Desperate to try and reclaim their Serie A crown this season, Cristiano Ronaldo and co should be looking to start off from where they ended last year’s run. Holding what is a rampant record against Udinese and winning eight of their last nine matchups against the hosts, The Old Lady should be smelling a real chance here. With Udinese managing to remarkably muster just a single point from any of their final six top-flight contests at the Stadio Friuli last season, we’re backing a similar outcome on Sunday.

Verdict: Juventus win & Juventus to score over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Unibet