Verona vs Udinese Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Monday, 26 January

Verona face Udinese in a crucial Serie A clash at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Monday, 26 January. This encounter promises intrigue, as both teams are eager to secure valuable points in the league standings. With Verona playing at home, they will be keen to make the most of their home advantage against Udinese, who have demonstrated resilience in away fixtures this season.

The significance of this match cannot be overstated, with both Verona and Udinese determined to improve their positions in the Serie A table. Verona will look to capitalise on their familiarity with the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, while Udinese will aim to disrupt their hosts’ plans with a strong performance. As these two Italian sides go head-to-head, fans and bettors alike will be watching closely to see how the contest unfolds.

Verona vs Udinese Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Udinese to win	2.72

Given Verona’s defensive struggles and Udinese’s solid away form, our recommended betting tip is an AWAY WIN for Udinese. The current market odds reflect the disparity in form and squad strength between the two teams, especially considering Verona’s significant defensive absences.

• Verona have managed only two wins in 21 matches, underscoring their struggles.
• Udinese’s solid away form, including a recent win at Torino, boosts confidence in an away win.
• Verona’s depleted defence, missing four regulars and a suspended centre-back, critically weakens their chances.

The recent form of both teams highlights a clear trend: Verona have been on a losing streak at home, while Udinese have secured key away victories. This makes an away win a strong and logical choice.

Betting Odds

In this Serie A clash, Verona are priced at 2.81 to win at home, while Udinese are close behind with odds of 2.72. The draw is also a tempting option at 2.98, suggesting a closely contested match.

Betting Tip	Odds
Verona to win	2.81
Draw	2.98
Udinese to win	2.72

For those looking to place a bet, the match odds indicate a tight affair, with both teams having a decent chance of victory. Given the odds, exploring markets such as both teams to score or total goals could offer some intriguing opportunities.

Verona Analysis & Past Performance

Verona’s recent form has been disappointing, as evidenced by a five-game winless run, including three losses and two draws. Their last match resulted in a goalless draw against Cremonese, where they managed 11 shots but failed to capitalise, highlighting their struggles in front of goal.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Cremonese	Verona	0 – 0 (Draw)	Serie A	19 Jan 2026
Verona	Bologna	2 – 3 (Loss)	Serie A	15 Jan 2026
Verona	Lazio	0 – 1 (Loss)	Serie A	11 Jan 2026
SSC Napoli	Verona	2 – 2 (Draw)	Serie A	7 Jan 2026
Verona	Torino	0 – 3 (Loss)	Serie A	4 Jan 2026

Recent Form:
Verona’s attack has been underwhelming, averaging just 0.80 goals per game over their last five matches. Defensively, they have conceded an average of 1.80 goals per game, managing only one clean sheet. Their defensive frailties are evident, as they have conceded in four of their last five fixtures.

Currently sitting 19th in Serie A with 14 points, Verona’s home form is particularly troubling. Out of their last five home games, they have secured just one victory, losing four. This poor home record is further emphasised by their low win ratio of 0.20 at home, indicating a struggle to make their home advantage count.

Key player Gift Emmanuel Orban, who has netted six times this season, remains crucial to their attacking efforts. However, the overall lack of consistency and defensive solidity suggests a challenging task ahead for Verona in their upcoming fixtures.

• DLLDL

Verona Suspensions & Injuries

Verona face a challenging situation with several key players unavailable due to injuries. Tomáš Suslov is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, leaving a gap in the squad until at least late February 2026. The midfield is further weakened by the doubtful status of Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Martin Frese, Rafik Belghali, Moatasem Al-Musrati, and Nicolás Valentini, all dealing with muscle-related issues. These absences could significantly affect Verona’s ability to control the midfield against Udinese, potentially forcing coach Paolo Zanetti to rely on less experienced players to fill these roles.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Giovane	Pending transfer	1	Unknown

The suspension of Giovane due to a pending transfer further complicates matters for Verona’s attack, as he was part of the last match’s forward line. His absence might lead to a tactical reshuffle, with more responsibility falling on Gift Emmanuel Orban and Amin Sarr to deliver goals. Verona may consider a more conservative 3-5-2 formation to bolster their defensive lines, given the limited options up front.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Tomáš Suslov	Cruciate ligament injury	Late February 2026
Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro	Muscle injury	Doubtful
Armel Bella-Kotchap	Muscle injury	Doubtful
Martin Frese	Muscle injury	Doubtful
Rafik Belghali	Thigh injury	Doubtful
Moatasem Al-Musrati	Muscle injury	Doubtful
Nicolás Valentini	Physical discomfort	Doubtful

These unavailabilities could influence the betting markets, as Verona’s compromised squad depth may impact their performance and resilience against Udinese. Bettors might consider the potential for a lower-scoring game or even a stronger position for Udinese, given Verona’s current constraints.

Verona Key Players

Verona’s attacking threat will be led by Gift Emmanuel Orban, the team’s top scorer with six goals this season. Orban’s ability to find the net from various positions makes him a constant danger to Udinese’s defence. His agility and technical skills enable him to exploit any defensive weaknesses, making him pivotal to Verona’s offensive strategy.

In midfield, Roberto Gagliardini and Suat Serdar are expected to play crucial roles. Gagliardini’s physical presence and Serdar’s vision on the ball will be vital in controlling the tempo of the match. Their ability to transition play from defence to attack seamlessly could be decisive in breaking down Udinese’s defensive setup.

Expected lineup for Verona

• Goalkeeper: Lorenzo Montipò
• Defence: Tobias Slotsager, Victor Nelsson, Enzo Ebosse
• Midfield: Pol Lirola, Roberto Gagliardini, Antoine Bernède, Suat Serdar, Domagoj Bradarić
• Forward: Gift Emmanuel Orban, Amin Sarr

Defensively, Victor Nelsson stands out as the linchpin of Verona’s backline. His leadership and ability to read the game will be essential in organising the defence against Udinese’s forwards. Alongside him, Tobias Slotsager’s tackling and Enzo Ebosse’s pace will be key in maintaining a solid defensive structure. With these players, Verona aim to combine defensive solidity with attacking flair, potentially dictating the game’s tactical flow.

Verona Tactics and Formation

Verona Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-5-2
• Key Forward: Gift Emmanuel Orban
• Midfield Engine: Roberto Gagliardini and Antoine Bernède
• Defensive Challenges: Conceded in four of their last five games
• Notable Strategy: Utilises wing-backs for width in attacks.

Verona’s 3-5-2 formation emphasises solidity in the centre of the pitch, with Roberto Gagliardini and Antoine Bernède orchestrating play. The midfield structure provides balance, allowing wing-backs Pol Lirola and Domagoj Bradarić to push forward and stretch the opposition’s defence.

Defensively, the back three of Tobias Slotsager, Victor Nelsson, and Enzo Ebosse must remain vigilant, especially considering Verona’s vulnerability, having conceded in four of their last five matches. Lorenzo Montipò in goal will need to be at his best to aim for a clean sheet.

Offensively, the team relies heavily on the striking partnership of Gift Emmanuel Orban and Amin Sarr. Orban, as the top scorer, is pivotal in converting chances, while Verona’s strategy often involves quick transitions and utilising the width provided by their wing-backs.

Udinese Analysis & Past Performance

Udinese’s recent form has been inconsistent, as reflected in their fluctuating Serie A results. Over the last five matches, they have secured one victory, two draws, and suffered two defeats. Their most recent outing was a narrow 0-1 loss against Inter at home, highlighting some defensive vulnerabilities.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Udinese	Inter	0 – 1 (Loss)	Serie A	17 Jan 2026
Udinese	Pisa	2 – 2 (Draw)	Serie A	10 Jan 2026
Torino	Udinese	1 – 2 (Win)	Serie A	7 Jan 2026
Como	Udinese	1 – 0 (Loss)	Serie A	3 Jan 2026
Udinese	Lazio	1 – 1 (Draw)	Serie A	27 Dec 2025

Recent Form:

• LDWLD

Udinese’s attack has been modest, averaging 1.00 goals per game in their last five fixtures. Despite scoring in three of these matches, they have been unable to maintain defensive solidity, conceding an average of 1.20 goals per match and failing to keep a clean sheet. Their away performance shows a slight improvement, with two wins out of their last five away games, indicating a 40% win ratio on the road. However, their overall win ratio stands at just 20%, suggesting room for improvement in consistency and defensive coordination.

Udinese Suspensions & Injuries

Udinese are contending with injuries to key players, notably Adam Buksa, Nicolò Zaniolo, and Jakub Piotrowski. Buksa’s thigh injury and Piotrowski’s knee injury are significant, as both have been integral to Udinese’s midfield dynamic. Their absence may force coach Kosta Runjaić to rely more on Jesper Karlström and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, who are expected to step up and fill the creative void.

The injury to Nicolò Zaniolo further complicates Udinese’s tactical setup, as his playmaking abilities are crucial for linking midfield and attack. Without Zaniolo, Udinese may adopt a more direct approach, focusing on utilising Keinan Davis’s physicality up front. This could lead to a shift towards a more robust and pressing style of play, particularly in midfield.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Adam Buksa	Thigh injury	Early February 2026
Jakub Piotrowski	Knee injury	Late February 2026
Nicolò Zaniolo	Knee injury	Mid February 2026

With several key players sidelined, Udinese’s depth will be tested. However, the availability of their starting lineup suggests they still possess the quality needed to compete effectively. The match against Verona will test their ability to adapt and maintain cohesion despite these setbacks.

The betting markets may see these injuries as a factor in Udinese’s potential performance. While the team remains competitive, the lack of depth in certain positions might influence odds, particularly if Verona can exploit these vulnerabilities. This dynamic could create opportunities for bettors looking to capitalise on potential mismatches.

Udinese Key Players

Udinese’s attacking threat revolves around Keinan Davis, the team’s top scorer with six goals this season. Davis, renowned for his physical strength and clinical finishing, will lead the line and look to exploit any defensive vulnerabilities Verona may present. His ability to hold up play and bring others into the game is crucial for Udinese’s attacking transitions.

In midfield, Sandi Lovrić and Jesper Karlström are pivotal. Lovrić brings creativity and vision, often crafting opportunities for the forwards, while Karlström’s defensive discipline helps maintain the team’s structure. On the flanks, Alessandro Zanoli and Hassane Kamara provide width and defensive support, essential for both counter-attacks and maintaining balance against Verona’s threats.

Expected lineup for Udinese:

• Goalkeeper: Maduka Okoye
• Defence: Thomas Kristensen, Christian Kabasele, Oumar Solet
• Midfield: Alessandro Zanoli, Sandi Lovrić, Jesper Karlström, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Hassane Kamara, Arthur Atta
• Forward: Keinan Davis

Defensively, the trio of Thomas Kristensen, Christian Kabasele, and Oumar Solet will be tasked with keeping Verona’s forwards at bay. Their combined experience and tactical awareness are vital in ensuring Udinese remain solid at the back. The team’s tactical approach will likely focus on a compact defensive shape, quick transitions, and utilising the pace and power of their key players to unsettle Verona.

Udinese Tactics and Formation

Udinese Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-5-1-1
• Key Forward: Keinan Davis
• Midfield Engine: Sandi Lovrić and Jesper Karlström
• Defensive Resilience: Struggled recently, with no clean sheets in five games.
• Notable Strategy: Utilises width through wing-backs and emphasises counter-attacks.

Udinese’s 3-5-1-1 setup is designed to exploit the flanks and provide defensive coverage. The use of wing-backs Alessandro Zanoli and Hassane Kamara allows them to stretch the opposition and deliver crosses to Keinan Davis, their top scorer with six goals this season.

In midfield, Sandi Lovrić and Jesper Karlström are pivotal, tasked with disrupting the opposition’s play and initiating counter-attacks. The absence of Jakub Piotrowski, due to injury, may impact their ability to maintain midfield dominance, potentially requiring adjustments from coach Kosta Runjaić.

Defensively, the trio of Thomas Kristensen, Christian Kabasele, and Oumar Solet provides a solid base, but recent performances have seen them concede frequently, with an average of 1.20 goals per game. This vulnerability highlights the need for tighter defensive coordination to secure clean sheets.

Verona vs Udinese Head-to-Head Record

Verona and Udinese have faced off 26 times, with Udinese narrowly leading the head-to-head record with 8 wins to Verona’s 7, while 11 matches have ended in a draw. Their last encounter in Serie A finished 1-1 at Udinese’s home ground, demonstrating how closely matched these teams are.

The most recent meeting at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, Verona’s home ground, ended in a goalless draw back in January 2025. Historically, matches here have been tight, with Verona managing to keep things competitive.

Home Side	Away Side	Score	League	Date
Udinese	Hellas Verona	1 – 1	Serie A	2025-08-25
Udinese	Hellas Verona	0 – 1	Serie A	2025-03-15
Hellas Verona	Udinese	0 – 0	Serie A	2025-01-04
Hellas Verona	Udinese	1 – 0	Serie A	2024-04-20
Udinese	Hellas Verona	3 – 3	Serie A	2023-12-03