Udinese vs Internazionale 03/02/20

3 February 2020

Internazionale can put a dismal home draw with Cagliari behind them by extending a ten-game unbeaten Serie A (SA) away run (W8, D2) although Udinese, who have avoided defeat in their last four SA fixtures at the Dacia Arena (W2, D2), stand in their way.

Despite their good home form, the hosts have suffered three consecutive defeats in the build-up to this encounter, conceding over 1.5 goals in each while drawing a blank twice. Things get worse for Udinese, who have lost four successive top-flight home H2Hs with Inter before playing out a goalless draw last season. Interestingly, just two of Udinese’s ten SA home fixtures have ended in a draw (W5, L3), with five of their eight home results (win/loss) yielding a narrow one-goal margin. Aggressive home starters, the Friulians have scored the first goal (if any) in seven of ten league home games. But, they’ve lost both SA matches at this venue where they shipped the opener.

Meanwhile, midweek’s Coppa Italia home win over Fiorentina could serve the visitors as a boost in their attempts to break a three-game winless SA streak (D3). The Nerazzurri have netted 2+ match goals in all eight of their SA away wins so far this season, with both of their road draws coming via the same 1-1 score. Inter’s quick-fire starts when away from home can match Udinese’s home furious openings as Antonio Conte’s players broke the deadlock in nine of ten SA road trips so far this season. Hence, it’s not strange that 52% of their league away goals came inside the first 45 minutes. However, Inter’s lapses of concentration after the break have seen them allow eight of their total ten goals conceded on the road to arrive in the second half.