Previous encounters
Napoli visit Udinese on Saturday evening after Kosta Runjaic's side claimed a morale-boosting win against Monza last Monday.
The Azzurri are unbeaten in their last 16 Serie A meetings with Udinese, winning 13 and drawing three. Indeed, Udinese haven't beaten Napoli in the league since 3 April 2016, when a Bruno Fernandes double and a goal by Cyril Thereau secured a 3-1 win, with Gonzalo Higuian netting Napoli's consolation.
Of the teams currently in Serie A, only against Como (18 games) are Napoli on a longer unbeaten streak than against Udinese.
That said, the Friuli-based side have managed two draws in the last three league encounters.
Napoli have scored in 19 consecutive Serie A matches against Udinese – only against Bologna have they enjoyed a longer streak (20 games between 2012 and 2023) against the same opposition.
Udinese clinical and dangerous in the air
After making a lightning start to the campaign (10 points in their first four matches), Udinese have only won three of their last 11.
However, Udinese can boast the fourth-best Expected Goals result this season (4.2), having found the net 18 times with an xG of 13.8. Only Atalanta (+9.4), Inter (+7.2) and Fiorentina (+7.0) have fared better.
Those 18 goals have been scored by 11 different players – only Inter and Lazio (with 13 each) have had more different names on the score sheet this term.
Udinese certainly pose a formidable threat in the air. Besides scoring seven headed goals this season (second only to Atalanta, with eight), Runjaic's men are one of just three teams yet to concede any goals from headers (Napoli and Atalanta being the others).
As it happens, the Azzurri's last two goals against Udinese were both headers: Giovanni Simeone on 27 September 2023 and Victor Osimhen on 6 May 2024.
A possible weakness could be Udinese's pressing game, as they have only attempted ten shots after winning the ball in attack this season (only Empoli have fewer), without scoring any goals.
However, they do look to play the ball forward quickly and have recorded 26 direct attacks so far – the fourth highest after Milan, Parma and Juventus.
Lucca scoring, Kamara and Zemura winging it
Lorenzo Lucca is Udinese's top scorer so far this season with five goals to his name – four of which headers (the joint most in Serie A, level with Mateo Retegui). Last year he scored his fifth in Week 16, his sixth two matches later and ended the season with eight league goals.
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp's assist for Jaka Bijol against Monza was his first in 30 league games without any goal involvements.
Udinese wing-backs Hassane Kamara and Jordan Zemura offer the team a constant outlet down the flanks. Kamara has put in 14 successful crosses from open play – only Federico Dimarco (17), Dodo (16) and Aaron Martin (15) have provided more in the current campaign. Zemura meanwhile has already had a hand in three goals (one more than in the whole of last season) and has completed 19 dribbles – more than any defender in the top flight except Dodo (26).
Stats by Opta
