Only six points separate a European spot from the gray midfield, but it feels like worlds apart between Udinese and Bologna at the moment: On Saturday afternoon, Udinese welcomes fifth-placed Bologna to the Bluenergy Stadium. Bologna arrives with 21 points, six ahead of the hosts, who are in 10th place with 15 points, just one point ahead of their pursuers. Bologna comes into the game with 10 points from its last five league games and the momentum of a 2-0 win over Napoli, while Udinese has been inconsistent lately, losing 2-0 in Rome. The head-to-head record also suggests a close contest, with the most recent meeting in April ending 0-0. Three of the last five encounters have been draws, and no more than three goals have been scored in any of those games, even though Udinese have the second-worst defense in the league with 17 goals conceded and have already conceded eight goals before halftime. In terms of personnel, Bologna will be without Cambiaghi for the long term, who is still out for about three weeks, while Holm is injured after his international appearance but should be back in time. For Udinese, Kristensen and Miller are doubtful, but both could theoretically be available. Coach Kosta Runjaić has used the international break specifically to work on the defense.
- Venue: Bluenergy Stadium – Stadio Friuli, Udine
- Date and time: November 22, 2025, 3:00 p.m.
- Competition: Serie A (matchday 12)
Udinese has won two of its last three home games, including a clear victory against Atalanta. Recommendation 1 with higher risk is Udinese to win at odds of 4.0, based on Bologna’s injuries, as regular goalkeeper Skorupski, midfield anchor Freuler, and attacker Cambiaghi are expected to be out until the end of December, which significantly weakens the visitors and gives Udinese, who are strong at home, additional opportunities. Recommendation 2 is Both Teams to Score: Yes. Udinese has scored in around 80% of its recent games and has scored at least one goal in four consecutive competitive games, but has also conceded goals regularly, while Bologna continues to show quality in attack despite personnel concerns, making goals on both sides plausible. A conservative alternative with lower risk is the double chance X2. Bologna is unbeaten in five games and has been defensively stable, conceding goals in only about 20% of its recent matches, which makes it very likely that it will earn a point against Udinese’s second-worst defense in Serie A, even with a weakened lineup.
Udinese Calcio Form & Record Check
Udinese is currently presenting a contradictory picture. Offensively, the team regularly makes its mark with four consecutive games in which it has scored at least one goal, but defensively, the problems remain glaring. A total of 17 goals conceded means they have the second-highest number in the league, eight of which were conceded before the break. In their last five competitive games, they have recorded two wins, one draw, and two defeats. Kabasele and Solet are the regulars in central defense, but the defense often looks disorganized, especially in the early stages of games. The positioning is not right and there is a lack of compactness between the midfield and central defense, which allows opponents to break through into dangerous areas relatively easily. For Kosta Runjaić, the focus is therefore clearly on a more compact structure before the break. The midfield must be tighter and anticipate the opponent’s transitions early on, while the wings need to be better secured to compensate for Kristensen’s absence with defensively stronger fullbacks or wingbacks. A 4-2-3-1 variation with two defensive midfielders is also conceivable. Set pieces and communication in the back four and between the goalkeeper and defense are another focus, as many early goals conceded indicate coordination problems. At the same time, substitution management should be adjusted, with questionable players such as Karlström being used more sparingly after international breaks in order to have fresh legs in the final stages. In terms of personnel, Kabasele and Solet are considered regulars in central defense, while Zanoli on the right and Kamara on the left are currently favored on the wings. In the center, a more defensive solution is recommended, such as Atta plus a more defensively minded partner if Karlström is not fully fit. Offensively, Zaniolo could start as a number 10 behind Davis, while Iker Bravo is a good option as a super sub against tired central defenses. In terms of the game itself, open encounters with goals at both ends are conceivable. Udinese should approach the first half with particular concentration, keeping an eye on the first 20 minutes and bringing calm to the game after scoring their own goals, for example through controlled possession and limited transitions. In the short term, intensive but short sessions to coordinate the back four and the central defense, set-piece training, and well-rehearsed procedures against early pressure phases make sense, along with individual recovery plans for those returning from international duty. In conclusion, there is sufficient quality in attack, but defensive instability, especially before the break, prevents consistency. If Runjaić manages to improve order and communication in defense in the short term and base personnel decisions more on current form than on name, points are definitely possible. Otherwise, there is a risk of further unsettled results despite good attacking play.
Coach Kosta Runjaić is expected to favor the 3-4-1-2 formation again, with Kabasele and Solet set to start in the back three, and the third spot likely to be between Bertola and Goglichidze, with Bertola having a slight advantage. Kristensen is still out with a thigh injury but is expected to return soon. Atta and Lovrić are planned as central players in midfield, with Zanoli on the right and Kamara on the left providing width and running. Zaniolo will play as an attacking midfielder behind the strike duo of Davis and Buksa, with Gueye, Bayo, and Iker Bravo available as alternatives up front or to provide additional attacking impetus.
FC Bologna Form & Record Check
Bologna are performing consistently in the league and are in 5th place with 21 points, comfortably ahead of their pursuers and only one point behind 4th place, which is held by Napoli. Across all competitions, the team looks solid, even more efficient in the league than in the Europa League. Bologna has remained unbeaten in its last five league games, with two wins and three draws. The 2-0 win against Napoli and the 3-1 win in Parma stand out in particular, while the draws against Torino, Fiorentina, and the 0-0 draw against Brann in the Europa League were less convincing. The pattern in the first halves is striking: in around 80% of recent games, fewer than 1.5 goals were scored, and four of the last five games were goalless at half-time. Bologna usually start cautiously and well-organized, only increasing their attacking power after the break. The offense often looks much more dangerous after the break, but overall it does not remain consistently dominant. Especially against weaker opponents such as Brann, the team occasionally lacks the final push to force clear victories. The personnel situation is difficult, with regular goalkeeper Skorupski out until the end of December, Freuler missing with a broken collarbone, Cambiaghi struggling with calf problems, Holm injured while on international duty and expected to be out for around ten days, and the strain of international travel also an issue internally. Tactically, this is reflected in a style of play that deliberately focuses on structured, cautious early phases and stronger second halves, which works well against strong opponents but leads to problems at times against deep-lying or less dominant teams. Overall, Bologna is solidly positioned but still has room for improvement. The key will be to compensate for the absences, create danger earlier in attack, and, in the medium to long term, adjust the balance between tactical discipline and a slightly higher offensive risk.
At Bologna, coach Vincenzo Italiano is likely to stick to his tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation, even though several regulars are missing. Regular goalkeeper Skorupski is unavailable due to injury, so Ravaglia is expected to start in goal. In midfield, the absence of Freuler weighs particularly heavily, with Holm and Cambiaghi also missing. Domínguez could surprisingly get a chance to start in this constellation, with Moro and Pobega expected to be used in the double six.
Udinese Calcio – FC Bologna Head-to-head comparison & statistics
The head-to-head record from the last five meetings is even, with three draws and one 3-0 win each for Udinese and Bologna. The last three matches all ended in draws: 1-1 in April 2024, 1-1 again in August 2024, and 0-0 in April 2025, a clear series of draws and, in some cases, low-scoring encounters. A maximum of three goals were scored in these five games, and at least two goals were scored in four of the last four encounters, indicating largely tactical and controlled games. The first half is usually typically cautious, with a maximum of one goal scored in four of the five encounters.
