Roma vs Udinese Predictions

• Under 2.5 goals have been scored in six of Roma’s last eight matches.
• The Giallorossi are likely to be without Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham – scorers of a combined 17 Serie A goals this term – through injury.
• Udinese have only lost one of their last six games in Serie A, and they could take advantage of any Roma changes.

Giallorossi hamstrung by European tie

Roma’s Europa League quarter-final trip to Feyenoord – a rematch of last year’s Europa Conference League final – did not go entirely to plan, with Jose Mourinho losing several key players to injury and seeing Lorenzo Pellegrini miss a penalty in a narrow 1-0 defeat. With Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham likely to miss out and other star men potentially being rested for Sunday’s meeting with Udinese, punters may wish to avoid backing the capital club, and goals – or a lack thereof – represent a smart alternative play.

Roma have seen under 2.5 goals scored in six of their last eight matches, and more of the same looks likely if Dybala and Abraham – who are responsible for 17 of their 39 league goals this term – miss out after sustaining knocks in the Netherlands. No other Roma player has hit the net more than four times in Serie A this campaign, and their goals tally of 39 is at least seven worse than any of their top-seven rivals. Injuries notwithstanding, Mourinho could make changes before next week’s return fixture against Feyenoord, potentially giving Udinese a chance.

Having lost just one of their last six league games – a run which has seen them beat AC Milan and draw with Atalanta – Udinese look well placed to take advantage of any Roma alterations. Only six teams have taken more Serie A points on the road than the Zebrette’s 19 this term, though they have only hit the net 15 times in 15 away matches – compared with 24 times in 14 outings in Udine. While a repeat of September’s astonishing 4-0 rout of Roma looks unlikely, Andrea Sottil’s men will at least hope to stay competitive.

Lack of goals the way to play

Given the uncertainty surrounding the identity of those forming Roma’s attack for this game, backing under 2.5 goals to be scored appears a strong play for punters lacking the conviction to oppose Mourinho’s men.

While plotting a route to goal without Dybala and Abraham could prove a challenge, Roma have taken 28 points from 14 home league games this season, making a cagey 1-0 home win a potentially decent correct score selection.

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