Bologna and Udinese are set to face each other for the 78th time in Serie A. The Zebrette have 26 wins in such contests, while the Rossoblu have 28 and 23 have ended in draws. Bologna are unbeaten in seven of their last eight matches against Udinese, but it was in the most recent one that the Bianconeri prevailed 3-0. On 30 December, at the Bluenergy Stadium, the hosts won thanks to goals from Roberto Pereyra, Lorenzo Lucca and Martin Payero. Udinese will be keen to complete a league double over Bologna, which would be the first since 2017/18.
Udinese have obtained 16 points in the 16 away matches played in this league season (three wins, seven draws, six defeats), more than any other team currently in the bottom eight. The two teams are among the three to have made the fewest crosses: 273 for the Emilians and 323 for the Bianconeri, with Frosinone in between (315). As a result, both are, along with Lazio, the teams that have scored the fewest headers in the current campaign (three).
Lazar Samardzic (six) and Giovanni Fabbian (seven) are the two youngest midfielders to have been involved in at least six goals this season. Tucu Pereyra, who has scored or laid on an assist in two of the last three matches, is one step away from 250 appearances in Serie A: the Argentine has played 201 for Udinese and 48 for Juventus. Compatriot Nehuen Perez is one of four players to have made a minimum of 100 defensive clearances and 50 challenges in the current competition (132 and 63 respectively). Alongside him are Gleison Bremer, Alessandro Buongiorno and Alberto Dossena.