Udinese vs SSC Napoli Prediction & Match Preview – 14 December

In the upcoming Serie A clash, Udinese will host SSC Napoli at the Bluenergy Stadium – Stadio Friuli on Sunday, 14 December. This match carries significant weight as both teams look to strengthen their positions in the league standings. Udinese, playing on home soil, will aim to capitalise on familiar surroundings to secure a crucial win against a formidable Napoli side.

SSC Napoli, renowned for their attacking prowess, will be determined to claim victory away from home. The Bluenergy Stadium – Stadio Friuli is set to witness an intriguing contest as Napoli seek to maintain their momentum in Serie A. With both teams having much at stake, this encounter promises to be closely contested, making it a must-watch for fans and punters alike.

Udinese vs SSC Napoli: Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
SSC Napoli to Win	1.85

Napoli travel to Udinese with clear momentum following a solid 2-1 victory over Juventus and will look to build on their superior head-to-head record, having won three of their last five meetings against Udinese.

• Napoli’s squad depth and attacking firepower outshine Udinese, even with key players missing.
• Udinese’s defensive frailties, with an average of 1.6 goals conceded per match, make them vulnerable.
• Napoli’s historical advantage and recent form, including a win over Juventus, boost confidence for an away victory.

A Napoli win at 1.95 represents solid value and appeal for punters, given the team’s consistency and historical dominance in this fixture.

Betting Odds

In this Serie A fixture, SSC Napoli are clear favourites with odds of 1.85, reflecting their strong form this season. Udinese, playing at home at the Bluenergy Stadium, are priced at 4.54, indicating a challenging task ahead.

Betting Tip	Odds
Udinese to win	4.54
Draw	3.36
Napoli to win	1.85

The draw is an intriguing option at 3.36, especially considering Udinese’s ability to hold their ground against top-tier teams. Bettors may also consider the over 2.5 goals market, given both teams’ attacking capabilities.

Udinese: Analysis & Recent Performance

Udinese have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, losing four out of their last five matches, including a disappointing 1-2 defeat against Genoa at home. This poor run has seen them drop to 11th in the Serie A table with 18 points so far. Their win ratio stands at just 20% over the last five games, which is a concern as they prepare to face SSC Napoli.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Udinese	Genoa	1 – 2 (Loss)	Serie A	8 Dec 2025
Juventus	Udinese	2 – 0 (Loss)	Coppa Italia	2 Dec 2025
Parma Calcio 1913	Udinese	0 – 2 (Win)	Serie A	29 Nov 2025
Udinese	Bologna	0 – 3 (Loss)	Serie A	22 Nov 2025
Roma	Udinese	2 – 0 (Loss)	Serie A	9 Nov 2025

Recent Form:

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In attack, Udinese have averaged only 0.60 goals per match in their last five fixtures, highlighting their current struggles in front of goal. Keinan Davis, their top scorer with four goals, will need to step up if Udinese are to improve this average. Defensively, Udinese have conceded an average of 1.80 goals per game, keeping just one clean sheet in this period, underlining vulnerabilities that Napoli may exploit. Their home form is marginally better, with two wins from their last five home matches, alongside two defeats and a draw.

Udinese: Suspensions & Injuries

Udinese face some injury concerns affecting their squad depth for the upcoming match against SSC Napoli. Hassane Kamara is sidelined with a foot injury and remains doubtful for the clash. His absence could force a reshuffle in the defensive line-up, potentially impacting Udinese’s ability to maintain a solid backline. Arthur Atta, who is nursing a thigh injury, is also doubtful, which could alter the midfield dynamics. Jordan Zemura is out with a leg injury until late December, meaning Udinese will need to rely on alternative midfield options.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Hassane Kamara	Foot injury	Doubtful
Arthur Atta	Thigh injury	Doubtful
Jordan Zemura	Leg injury	Late December 2025

The absence of these players means coach Kosta Runjaic will need to make tactical adjustments, possibly turning to Alessandro Zanoli and Rui Modesto to reinforce the flanks. The 3-5-2 formation used by Udinese may require players like Jurgen Ekkelenkamp to take on more versatile roles to cover these gaps. The impact on Udinese’s tactical flexibility could be significant, especially against a dynamic Napoli side.

With Kamara and Atta unavailable, Udinese’s depth will be tested. This scenario could influence betting markets, as reliance on less experienced players might affect their odds. However, the core of the starting eleven remains intact, providing some stability in the face of these challenges.

Udinese: Key Players

Udinese will rely heavily on their top scorer, Keinan Davis, who has netted four goals this season. His physical presence and ability to hold up the ball make him a constant threat to opposition defences. Partnering him in attack is Nicolò Zaniolo, whose creativity and flair can unlock defences and provide vital support to Davis. Together, they form a potent attacking duo that Udinese will look to exploit against SSC Napoli.

Central to Udinese’s midfield are Jesper Karlström and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp. Karlström’s playmaking role is pivotal in controlling the game’s tempo and linking defence to attack. Ekkelenkamp, with his box-to-box qualities, adds dynamism and is expected to contribute both defensively and offensively. In defence, Christian Kabasele stands out with his leadership and aerial prowess, essential for neutralising Napoli’s attacking threats.

Expected lineup for Udinese:

• Goalkeeper: Maduka Okoye
• Defence: Nicolo Bertola, Christian Kabasele, Oumar Solet
• Midfield: Alessandro Zanoli, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Jesper Karlström, Jakub Piotrowski, Rui Modesto
• Forward: Keinan Davis, Nicolò Zaniolo

Udinese: Tactics & Formation

Udinese Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-5-2
• Key Forward: Keinan Davis
• Midfield Engine: Jurgen Ekkelenkamp and Jesper Karlström
• Defensive Setup: Three-man defence with Christian Kabasele as a key figure
• Notable Strategy: Wing-back utilisation and pressing in midfield.

Udinese’s 3-5-2 formation enables them to utilise width and maintain central control. In midfield, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp and Jesper Karlström are pivotal, tasked with breaking up play and initiating attacks. The wing-backs, Alessandro Zanoli and Rui Modesto, provide width and support both offensively and defensively, which is crucial for Udinese’s transitional play.

Defensively, the trio of Nicolo Bertola, Christian Kabasele, and Oumar Solet forms the backbone, aiming to maintain compactness and cover the wide areas. This setup has been tested, with Udinese struggling to secure clean sheets, indicating a need for greater defensive cohesion.

Offensively, the pairing of Keinan Davis and Nicolò Zaniolo is expected to lead the line. Davis, as top scorer, is vital for breaking down defences, while Zaniolo adds creativity and flair, essential against a high-pressing Napoli side.

SSC Napoli: Analysis & Recent Performance

SSC Napoli have shown strong form in recent fixtures, securing four wins in their last five matches across all competitions. Notable victories include a confident 2-1 win over Juventus and a solid 2-0 result against Qarabag FK. However, their most recent outing ended in a 0-2 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League, highlighting some inconsistency away from home.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Benfica	SSC Napoli	2 – 0 (Loss)	Champions League	10 Dec 2025
SSC Napoli	Juventus	2 – 1 (Win)	Serie A	7 Dec 2025
SSC Napoli	Cagliari	N/A	Coppa Italia	3 Dec 2025
Roma	SSC Napoli	0 – 1 (Win)	Serie A	30 Nov 2025
SSC Napoli	Qarabag FK	2 – 0 (Win)	Champions League	25 Nov 2025

Recent Form:
Napoli’s attack has been particularly effective, averaging 3.00 goals per game in their last five matches, with a total of 15 goals scored. Defensively, they have conceded an average of 2.40 goals per match, a figure they will look to improve. Despite this, the team have managed two clean sheets, showing potential for defensive solidity. Their away form shows a win ratio of 0.40, with two wins in their last five away fixtures, underscoring the challenges they face on the road.

Currently second in Serie A with 31 points, Napoli’s tactical approach is characterised by a high-possession game, as seen in their 56% possession against Benfica, and a robust attacking strategy led by Kevin De Bruyne, the team’s top scorer with four goals. Napoli will look to leverage these strengths to secure a positive result against Udinese.

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SSC Napoli: Suspensions & Injuries

SSC Napoli are facing a challenging situation with several key players sidelined due to injuries. The absence of Alex Meret, out with a broken foot until mid-January 2026, means Vanja Milinković-Savić will continue in goal. This could affect Napoli’s defensive solidity, given Meret’s experience and shot-stopping ability. Additionally, the midfield will miss the influence of Kevin De Bruyne and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, both crucial for orchestrating play and breaking down opposition attacks. Their injuries may force coach Antonio Conte to rely more on the likes of Eljif Elmas and Scott McTominay to fill creative and defensive gaps.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Romelu Lukaku	Thigh injury	Doubtful
Alex Meret	Broken foot	Mid January 2026
Kevin De Bruyne	Thigh injury	Mid January 2026
Billy Gilmour	Groin injury	Early January 2026
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa	Muscle injury	Mid January 2026
Miguel Gutiérrez	Calf injury	Late December 2025
Stanislav Lobotka	Thigh injury	Late December 2025

With Stanislav Lobotka also unavailable due to a thigh injury, expected back in late December, Napoli’s midfield depth is further tested. This may prompt a tactical adjustment, possibly seeing Giovanni Di Lorenzo take on a more central role or the introduction of a less experienced player to maintain balance in midfield. The absence of these players could result in a more conservative approach from Napoli, focusing on defensive solidity and counter-attacks.

The betting implications of these absences could be significant, as a depleted midfield might limit Napoli’s attacking thrust, making a dominant win less likely. With Romelu Lukaku also doubtful, Napoli’s attacking options could be limited, influencing both the odds and punters’ confidence in their ability to secure a result against Udinese.

SSC Napoli: Key Players

SSC Napoli’s attack will be led by Rasmus Højlund, who is expected to spearhead the frontline. Known for his physicality and aerial prowess, Højlund’s ability to hold up play and bring others into the game will be crucial against Udinese. His presence in the box will be a constant threat, aiming to capitalise on any defensive lapses.

Supporting Højlund, the midfield dynamism of Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Eljif Elmas will be vital. Di Lorenzo, renowned for his versatility, offers both defensive solidity and attacking support, while Elmas’s creativity and ball control can unlock defences. In defence, Amir Rrahmani will be the cornerstone, tasked with organising the backline and nullifying Udinese’s attacking threats.

Expected lineup for SSC Napoli:

• Goalkeeper: Vanja Milinković-Savić
• Defence: Sam Beukema, Amir Rrahmani, Alessandro Buongiorno
• Midfield: Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Eljif Elmas, Scott McTominay, Mathías Olivera, David Neres, Noa Lang
• Forward: Rasmus Højlund

The tactical impact of Napoli’s key players lies in their ability to maintain possession and control the tempo. The combination of Højlund’s finishing, Di Lorenzo’s adaptability, and Elmas’s vision creates a balanced threat that can adapt to various phases of play. This versatility will be crucial in dictating the match’s rhythm and potentially securing a favourable outcome.

SSC Napoli: Tactics & Formation

SSC Napoli Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Rasmus Højlund
• Midfield Engine: Scott McTominay and Eljif Elmas
• Defensive Setup: Three-man defence with Amir Rrahmani as a key figure
• Notable Strategy: Strength in wide areas and exploiting wing play.

In their current 3-4-2-1 formation, SSC Napoli aim to dominate the midfield with a robust central pairing of Scott McTominay and Eljif Elmas. This setup allows them to control possession while transitioning quickly into attack. The use of wing-backs such as Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Mathías Olivera is pivotal in stretching the opposition defence and providing width.

Defensively, Napoli’s three-man backline, featuring Amir Rrahmani, offers stability, although they have struggled to keep clean sheets consistently, with only two in their last five matches. Vanja Milinković-Savić’s presence in goal adds a commanding figure capable of organising the defence.

Offensively, Rasmus Højlund leads the line, supported by dynamic attackers David Neres and Noa Lang. This trio excels at exploiting spaces behind defences, particularly effective when Napoli transition swiftly from defence to attack.

Udinese vs SSC Napoli: Head-to-Head Record

Examining the head-to-head record between Udinese and SSC Napoli, it is clear that Napoli have been the dominant force. Out of 40 encounters, Napoli have secured victory 22 times, while Udinese have managed just six wins, with 13 matches ending in a draw. Their last meeting in February 2025 ended in a 1-1 draw at Napoli’s home ground.

In Serie A, Napoli have consistently outperformed Udinese, especially in recent years. The last time Udinese hosted Napoli at the Bluenergy Stadium, they suffered a 1-3 defeat in December 2024. This trend suggests Napoli’s strong away form could once again be decisive.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	League	Date
Napoli	Udinese	1 – 1	Serie A	2025-02-09
Udinese	Napoli	1 – 3	Serie A	2024-12-14
Udinese	Napoli	1 – 1	Serie A	2024-05-06
Napoli	Udinese	4 – 1	Serie A	2023-09-27
Udinese	Napoli	1 – 1	Serie A	2023-05-04