Preview: Udinese vs. Bologna - prediction, team news, lineups

Bologna make the trip to the Dacia Arena to face Udinese on Sunday afternoon looking to keep the pressure on the top six in the Serie A standings.

However, Udinese sit just three points below them in 13th position, providing them with the incentive to end a four-match winless streak.

Match preview

© Reuters

Bologna can consider themselves to be one of the division's entertainers this season with 26 goals featuring in seven matches.

However, Sinisa Mihajlovic's team have now kept three clean sheets, the latest coming in their terrific 3-0 victory against Lazio before the international break.

Having shipped 12 goals in their previous triple-header, few people expected such a complete performance, and Mihajlovic will be optimistic that his team can build on the result.

Nevertheless, while I Rossoblu sit just one point adrift of fifth-placed Fiorentina, games with AC Milan and Napoli are lurking before the end of the month.

Aaron Hickey has emerged as a key man in recent weeks, the 19-year-old Scottish left-back netting in two of his last three appearances.

From Udinese's perspective, Luca Gotti will hope that the international break arrived at the right time to arrest his team's drop in form.

Three successive defeats occurred without finding the back of the net, while three goals were shipped during the draw with Sampdoria on October 3.

On a positive note, Fernando Forestieri scored a late equaliser for his team, the playmaker contributing on his first appearance of the season.

Although L Bianconeri still remain away from trouble, there is pressure to win games such as this one with trips to Atalanta BC and Inter Milan still to come during October.

Team News

© Reuters

Despite his early withdrawal in the match before the international break, Gerard Deulofeu is expected to line up in the Udinese attack.

Forestieri is only likely to earn a starting role if Gotti is prepared to name an attack-minded midfielder in the centre of the pitch.

Teenage defender Iyenoma Udogie is pushing for another opportunity at left wing-back.

Barring any fitness issues, Mihajlovic will almost certainly stick with the players which out-performed Lazio.

Although he failed to find the back of the net in that game, Marko Arnautovic will continue to lead the line after three goal contributions in five appearances.

Udinese possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Becao, Nuytinck, Samir; Larsen, Pereyra, Walace, Makengo, Udogie; Beto, Deulofeu

Bologna possible starting lineup:
Skorupski; Soumaoro, Medel, Theate; Silvestri, Dominguez, Svanberg, Hickey; Soriano, Barrow; Arnautovic

We say: Udinese 1-1 Bologna

On the back of thrashing Lazio, Bologna are the clear favourites to record another three points at the weekend. However, Udinese have momentum after their comeback draw at Sampdoria, leading us to predict a competitive stalemate.