Sitting side-by-side in the Serie A standings, mid-table duo Torino and Udinese lock horns on Sunday, in Turin.
Trailing their visitors by two points after 20 league games, Toro tumbled out of the Coppa Italia in midweek and now aim for an immediate response against their close rivals for a top-seven finish.
Match preview
© Reuters
Three decades have passed since Torino last lifted the Coppa Italia, and their wait will go on at least one year longer after the events of Wednesday night in Florence, when Ivan Juric's men exited the cup at Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Following their extra-time heroics in the previous round against Milan, the Granata may have fancied their chances of securing a semi-final spot, but they could not find a way through hosts Fiorentina until Yann Karamoh struck in the 93rd minute: by then they were already 2-0 down and heading for defeat.
Despite missing out on a potentially winnable tie against Serie A strugglers Cremonese, Torino must now refocus their efforts on chasing possible European qualification through the league - they are one of several contenders to capitalise on the crisis at city rivals Juventus and claim a top-seven place come June.
Last time out in the top flight, a 2-2 draw in Empoli was only earned by storming back during the final 10 minutes to haul themselves level through strikes from Samuele Ricci and Antonio Sanabria, and Toro have now drawn four of their last six Serie A matches - as many as in the previous 21.
They are yet to win a home game in 2023, but having emerged winners from four of their last five meetings with Udinese in Turin, precedent is on their side when they try to end that run on Sunday afternoon.
© Reuters
Since 2018, Udinese have lost five of eight league fixtures against this weekend's opponents, including October's reverse fixture at the Dacia Arena.
While they have not shared points with the Granata for over four years, after being held at home by Verona on Monday, no other side has drawn more Serie A games this season. Indeed, as their lightning-fast start to the campaign continues to fade into the distance, seven of the Friulani's eight draws have come in their last 12 league matches.
Andrea Sottil's side still posted 28 points from the first half of the season - equalling the club's best tally at that stage for a decade - and moved into seventh place by beating Sampdoria at the end of last month and profiting from Juve's points deduction.
Battling it out with Sunday's hosts and several others to finish 'best of the rest' behind Serie A's top six, Udinese have also recorded their lowest tally of goals conceded after 20 games since 2012, when they ultimately ended the campaign in third place.
Not frightened to try their luck at the other end either, the Bianconeri will now hope to stake their claim again by pulling five points clear of Torino with a win.
Team News
© Reuters
While Torino defender David Zima joins long-term absentee Valentino Lazaro in missing Sunday's game, Ola Aina recently returned to action and could now feature on either flank. The latter has scored only two goals in 94 Serie A appearances to date - both of them against Udinese.
Il Toro swiftly manoeuvred in the market to replace Fulham-bound Sasa Lukic with fellow midfielder Ivan Ilic, who reunites with coach Ivan Juric - his former boss at Verona - while fellow new-boy Ronaldo Vieira is also in contention to play.
In Pietro Pellegri's likely absence from the lineup, Antonio Sanabria and Demba Seck battle it out to lead the hosts' attack; midweek goalscorer Yann Karamoh is set to continue on the bench.
Udinese, meanwhile, will be without two of their more influential players this weekend, as a muscular problem threatens Roberto Pereyra's participation and Gerard Deulofeu has undergone knee surgery.
Andrea Sottil will therefore hope others such as new arrival Florian Thauvin - who joins from Liga MX club Tigres UANL - and Lazar Samardzic can fill the creative void until the Spanish star's return.
Samardzic found the net on Monday and has already doubled the number of goals he scored last term by reaching four; the last midfielder to score at least five times in a Serie A season before turning 21 was Franck Kessie in 2016-17. Once again, the Germany Under-21 international should support a front pairing of Isaac Success and Beto.
Torino possible starting lineup:
Milinkovic-Savic; Schuurs, Buongiorno, Rodriguez; Singo, Ricci, Ilic, Aina; Miranchuk, Vlasic; Sanabria
Udinese possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Becao, Bijol, Perez; Ehizibue, Samardzic, Walace, Arslan, Udogie; Beto, Success
We say: Torino 1-0 Udinese
While Udinese have attempted the most shots in Serie A since the winter break, and at least 11 more than any other side, they have struggled for goals of late - and Torino are not the easiest nut to crack. For that reason, a low-scoring contest may be edged by the hosts, who would then overhaul their visitors in the table.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
