Udinese’s four-match losing run puts pressure on Lecce clash

Four consecutive defeats have left Udinese 15th in Serie A, and Sunday’s meeting with Lecce is their first chance to stop the slide. Kosta Runjaic’s side have four points from six matches, with one win and one draw, and now face a team only two places and two points above them.

Lecce arrive at the Bluenergy Stadium in 13th with six points, but they also need a response after losing their last two games. Their start had been encouraging; another defeat would extend that difficult spell and give Udinese the opportunity to close the gap. The two teams’ recent runs make this more than a chance for Udinese to end a streak: Lecce have a position to protect, while the hosts need points to arrest their early-season slide.

Runjaic is expected to stick with a 3-4-2-1. Keinan Davis is set to lead the attack, with Jurgen Ekkelenkamp and Unai Gómez behind him. In midfield, Lennon Miller is favoured over Oier Zarraga, while David Alaba could make his first start in defence. Nicolò Zaniolo is unavailable, and the condition of Jakub Piotrowski remains under assessment.

Eusebio Di Francesco is expected to line Lecce up in a 4-3-3. Lassana Coulibaly, Balthazar Pierret and Ylber Ramadani are among the midfield options in the projected lineup, with Mohamed Kaba Ngom tipped to replace the injured Ilic. Santiago Pierotti, Stipe Geubbels and Lameck Fatah are expected to form the front three. Those are projected selections, with both coaches’ plans still subject to change before kick-off.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, 18 October, at 12:30 CEST at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, and DAZN will show it on television and via streaming. Udinese’s immediate task is clear: end the four-game run and avoid letting the gap to Lecce grow. For the visitors, a result would halt their own two-match skid and preserve their advantage over the hosts.