Udinese vs Crotone Predictions

• Crotone are 18^th in Serie B, and in danger of a second relegation on the spin. They’ve won just one of 16 games in the Italian second tier, and lost their last five.
• Crotone’s record of 28 goals conceded is Serie B’s third-worst defensive record. They’ve not won an away game all season.
• Udinese are unbeaten in five home Serie A matches, including Saturday’s 1-1 draw with AC Milan.

Udinese solid at home, despite recent struggles

Despite sacking manager Luca Gotti last week after a four-match winless run in Serie A, Udinese have maintained a solid home record, and are unbeaten in their last five at the Dacia Arena, even if four were draws.

Under the charge of caretaker Gabriele Cioffi, they were denied a shock win over AC Milan on Saturday night, thanks to a wonderful 90^th-minute overhead kick from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Udinese led for over 70 minutes of the match and should probably have sewn up the three points, after creating 1.7 expected goals to the weakened visitors’ 1.0.

Tuesday’s Coppa Italia round of 32 tie, however, gives Cioffi a wonderful opportunity to lead Udinese to a first win in over a month. Visitors Crotone have won just one of 16 matches in the Italian second tier, after being relegated from Serie A last season. They’ve lost six and drawn one on their travels, and their record of 28 goals conceded in 16 matches gives them the third-worst defensive numbers in Serie B.

Udinese should coast through

Although it was back in August, Udinese had no issues overcoming a -1 handicap against Serie B opposition in the first round of the Coppa Italia, beating Ascoli 3-1. With Crotone in serious danger of a second consecutive relegation, six points from safety and preparing for a huge match with bottom club Pordenone next weekend, Udinese should enjoy a comfortable evening.

Backing the hosts to beat a -1 handicap looks a good value play for this match. With Crotone failing to score in four of their seven away games in Serie B, a 2-0 home victory looks a strong correct score prediction.

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