10 September 2021, 17:36 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Italian Serie A TIM fixture, Spezia Calcio vs. Udinese Calcio, kicks off at 14:00 (GMT+1) on Sunday, September 12 at the Alberto Picco.
Preview Spezia Serie A, Sep 12, 2021
Preview Spezia suffered their heaviest defeat of the new campaign when they visited Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Matchday 3. The Eagles were beaten 6-1, courtesy of goals from Felipe Anderson (47'), Elseid Hysaj (70') and Luis Alberto (85') coupled with a hattrick from Ciro Immobile (5', 15' & 45'+2). Before the avalanche of goals, Daniele Verde (4') had put the visitors ahead in the opening minutes. Spezia's Kelvin Amian Adou (R. 54') was given the marching orders in the 54th minute after wrestling a goal-bound Felipe Anderson to the ground, leaving Lazio with the numerical advantage for a major portion of the second half. Spezia are left in the lower half of the Serie A table in 15th place with only a point from two games: 0W, 1D, & 1L. A victory would be ideal, but a point would keep the Little Eagles from slipping further down the Serie A table. Manager Thiago Motta could utilize three at the back in a 3—4—3 formation, with Gyasi playing through the middle while being flanked on the right by Daniele Verde. Ebrima Colley could occupy the left wing. Daniele Verde has taken part in a goal in each of his last three Serie A TIM appearances against Udinese (G2, A1). He could become the first Spezia player to have a hand in a goal in four consecutive league games if he finds he bags an assist or gets the goal on Sunday.
Preview Udinese Serie A, Sep 12, 2021
Preview Meanwhile, Udinese Calcio utilized the international break to take on lower division side, AC Dolomiti, in a club-friendly match which ended in a 4-1 win for the Serie A club. Before the international break, Udinese brushed Venezia aside in a comfortable 3-0 win on Matchday 2, courtesy of goals from Ignacio Pussetto (29'), Gerard Deulofeu (70') and Nahuel Molina (90'+3). The big win saw Udinese jump to 6th place while having 4 points and a G.D. of +3 picked up from 1W, 1D, & 0L. It appears to be an easy fixture on paper for coach Luca Gotti and the 53-year-old will have three points on his mind come Sunday. Gotti has implemented the 3—5—2 formation twice, on Matchday 1 & 2 and could do so again on Matchday 3. The duo consisting of Ignacio Pussetto and Roberto Pereyra may be left to do the attacking. On availability, centre-forward Ilija Nestorovski remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament rupture, while Jan Kubala remains in doubt with a possible muscle injury.