Football Bet of the Day: Home advantage crucial for Genoa
Genoa's clash with Udinese in Serie A is the featured game for our Bet of the Day on Friday (19:45 KO, One Football). The two teams have little to play for after 30 games, with Udinese 10th in the table and some 12 points behind the top six.
Genoa are two places and five points behind, but their recent home form will give them plenty of belief ahead of kick-off.
Genoa returned from the international break with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Juventus, meaning Patrick Vieira's side have won just one of their last five games in all competitions.
That does not tell the full story, though, as three of those matches have come away from home.
The Red and Blues have turned a corner at home since the turn of the year, and all four of their home league wins in Serie A have come in their last five matches. Vieira's men have not lost at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris since December and confidence will be sky-high ahead of kick-off.
Vieira will also be boosted by the return of left-back Aaron Martin from suspension, while Vitinha will be available for selection.
Udinese striker Alexis Sanchez is set to miss out in what will be a huge blow for the Little Zebras, and he is joined on the sidelines by Isaak Toure, while Florian Thauvin is struggling with a foot problem.
Udinese are winless in three ahead of Friday's battle, losing 1-0 to Verona and 2-1 to Inter Milan. The visitors have only won once in six on their travels, and they have only taken four points from their 15 away games.
Kosta Runjaic's men have been competitive enough on the road, scoring in five consecutive matches. That may be easier said than done, though, against a Genoa side that have kept three clean sheets in three of their last five at home.
Genoa will be setting small targets in their final few games of the season, and they will be eager to climb above Udinese and finish inside the top 10.
The hosts have drawn 11 games this season, and they have only lost four times in front of their own supporters and those home comforts could be crucial this week.
With upcoming home games against Lazio, AC Milan and Atalanta on the agenda, Friday's game gives Genoa a great chance to extend their record before the fixture schedule starts to get tough.
On the whole, Udinese are likely to be competitive in parts, but the hosts should be able to drag themselves over the line.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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