Now separated by just six points in the Serie A standings following a change of fortunes for either side, Udinese and Sassuolo meet at the Dacia Arena on Sunday.

Posting back-to-back wins over two members of Italy's elite has moved the visitors clear of danger, while their hosts have picked up just five points since the winter break to slip further back into the pack.

Match preview

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A total of four goals in six games so far this year tells the tale of Udinese's start to 2023, and another blank last week ultimately resulted in a 1-0 defeat in Turin.

Andrea Sottil's side conceded shortly after the break at mid-table rivals Torino, and with their front line once again failing to fire, they were unable to respond in the remaining time available.

Equalling the club's best halfway points tally during the last 10 seasons may have marked a positive start to the ex-Ascoli coach's reign in Friuli, but Udinese have now beaten only lowly Sampdoria since the start of October - having also exited the Coppa Italia.

The recent absence of chief creator Gerard Deulofeu has surely played its part in such impotent form, but when they seek just a fourth home victory of the campaign in Sunday's early kickoff, they must find another source of inspiration as the Spanish star is set to be out of action until April at least.

History, though, is on the Bianconeri's side this weekend, as they have gone unbeaten in nine top-flight meetings with Sassuolo since March 2018. Having also won September's reverse fixture, they will now seek to complete the Serie A double over their visitors for only a third time.

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While some 75% of Sassuolo's top-flight victories against Udinese have come away from home, they have lost their three most recent fixtures at the Dacia Arena - conceding at least twice on each occasion.

Udine is clearly not a happy hunting ground for the Neroverdi, but they will arrive there after successive wins - over Milan and Atalanta - which have certainly lifted spirits in the camp.

Having previously thumped the champions 5-2 in an extraordinary game at San Siro, Alessio Dionisi's men took maximum points from another Lombardy club last time out, as Armand Lauriente's 55th-minute strike proved enough to secure victory over 10-man Atalanta.

Since Dionisi took up the reins from former coach Roberto De Zerbi, only once have Sassuolo have gained three straight wins in Serie A, so he will now be keen to lead a side bedeviled by inconsistency to such a streak on Sunday.

With their slump now seemingly over, the Emilian side would pull within three points of their hosts if they can prolong their positive momentum for another 90 minutes - but an away record still featuring just two wins from 11 attempts suggests that is far from a foregone conclusion.

Team News

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Following a muscular problem which has kept him sidelined of late, Udinese captain Roberto Pereyra should be back in action this weekend.

However, Ilija Nestorovski remains a major doubt due to an adductor injury, while Gerard Deulofeu recently underwent knee surgery and will be unavailable for several weeks to come.

In the latter's absence, Isaac Success and Beto are set to be paired up front again, though January signing Florian Thauvin is also in contention. Beto averages a goal every 37 minutes against Sassuolo, thanks to three strikes in two previous meetings - including his last league brace, back in September.

By contrast, Sassuolo's star man Domenico Berardi has scored only once against the Bianconeri in several years of trying. Nonetheless, he should start in support of lone striker Gregoire Defrel on Sunday.

The latter will continue to deputise for injured regular Andrea Pinamonti, and with one goal at the Dacia Arena would become the fourth French player to reach 50 goals in Serie A - after David Trezeguet (123), Michel Platini (68) and Cyril Thereau (66).

Meanwhile, Riccardo Marchizza is expected to step in for suspended left-back Rogerio, with fellow defenders Jeremy Toljan and Mert Muldur both missing out due to injury.

Udinese possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Becao, Bijol, Perez; Ehizibue, Pereyra, Walace, Arslan, Udogie; Success, Beto

Sassuolo possible starting lineup:
Consigli; Zortea, Erlic, Ruan, Marchizza; Frattesi, Lopez, Bajrami; Berardi, Defrel, Lauriente

We say: Udinese 1-1 Sassuolo

Udinese have scored in each of their last nine home league games, while Sassuolo are not the most secure side defensively but pose an attacking threat. As a result, both teams should find the net in a close-fought draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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