Serie A’s third matchday concludes on Monday evening when two of the division’s early form teams meet at the Bluenergy Stadium, as Udinese host Lazio.

Both clubs have enjoyed encouraging starts to the campaign. The Friulani remain unbeaten across league and cup competition, while Gennaro Gattuso’s Lazio have taken maximum points from their opening two Serie A matches without conceding a goal.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 11/5

Bookmaker: 20bet

Udinese

Udinese have once again begun the season in impressive fashion under Kosta Runjaic, continuing a trend that has become increasingly familiar during the German coach’s tenure.

The Friulani opened their league campaign with a creditable draw against ambitious Como before following that result with an entertaining 3-2 victory over Monza. They have also enjoyed success in the Coppa Italia, progressing through two rounds to book a last-16 meeting with Atalanta.

Most recently, Udinese overcame regional rivals Venezia in midweek, with Vakoun Bayo scoring twice to preserve the club’s unbeaten start to the campaign. That result further highlighted the growing competition for places in attack and provided additional evidence that Runjaic’s side are carrying momentum into the early weeks of the season.

The hosts will now aim to collect seven points from their opening three league fixtures for a third consecutive year, a target that appears realistic given their recent record against Lazio.

Udinese have lost just two of their last 10 Serie A meetings with the Biancocelesti and shared two dramatic draws with Monday’s opponents last season.

Team News

Nicolo Zaniolo, Matteo Palma, Giorgi Chakvetadze and Alessandro Zanoli remain unavailable, but Christian Kabasele has returned from suspension and offers an important boost to the defensive unit.

Further forward, Runjaic has several options at his disposal. Keinan Davis, last season’s leading scorer, is competing with Vakoun Bayo and Idrissa Gueye for places in attack after all three featured prominently during the opening weeks.

Lazio

After an alarming start under Gennaro Gattuso that saw Lazio crash out of the Coppa Italia, the Biancocelesti have responded in exactly the manner their new manager would have hoped.

Back-to-back league victories over Bologna and Genoa have lifted confidence around the club, and both wins came courtesy of late interventions from summer signing Davide Frattesi.

The Italy international has made an instant impact since arriving from Inter Milan, scoring decisive goals in each of Lazio’s opening two matches. His knack for producing key moments has already made him a favourite among supporters and justified Gattuso’s determination to bring him to Rome.

Lazio are now chasing a third consecutive league win to begin the season, an achievement they have managed only twice before in their Serie A history.

Their record in Udine suggests they have every chance of achieving that objective. The capital club have lost only one of their last 13 league visits to the city and have enjoyed considerable success against Udinese away from home over the years.

Team News

The visitors do, however, have several injury issues to contend with. Patric and Adam Marusic are unavailable in defence, while Nicolo Rovella, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Danilo Cataldi are all missing from midfield.

Frattesi is expected to continue in an advanced role behind the striker, and his record against Udinese will only increase expectations. The midfielder has scored five Serie A goals against the Friulani during his career.

With Boulaye Dia having departed for Rennes, Andrea Pinamonti and Tijjani Noslin are competing for the centre-forward position. Recent arrival Albert Gudmundsson also offers another option in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

  • Udinese are unbeaten in all competitions this season.
  • The Friulani have already progressed through two rounds of the Coppa Italia.
  • Lazio have won both league fixtures without conceding a goal.
  • Davide Frattesi has scored the winning goal in both of Lazio’s Serie A victories.
  • Udinese have lost only two of their last 10 league meetings with Lazio.
  • The visitors are dealing with several absences, particularly in midfield.

Conclusion

Both teams arrive in excellent spirits and with genuine reasons for optimism. Udinese have shown attacking variety and resilience throughout the opening weeks, while Lazio’s defensive organisation and knack for finding late winners have helped them maintain a perfect league start.

The hosts possess enough firepower to trouble the visitors, but Lazio have looked extremely difficult to break down and continue to find decisive contributions from Frattesi.

With both sides carrying momentum, this has all the ingredients of a tightly contested encounter. Lazio may remain unbeaten, but Udinese’s strong home form and recent record in this fixture suggest the points could ultimately be shared.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 11/5

Bookmaker: 20bet

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