Udinese vs Cremonese: Serie A Clash on 17 May 2026

On 17 May 2026, the lights of the Bluenergy Stadium - Stadio Friuli in Udine will frame a clash between comfort and desperation. Udinese, safely placed in mid-table, step out in front of their own fans looking to sign off their home campaign with authority, while Cremonese arrive knowing their Serie A status is hanging by a thread. For the hosts, it is about consolidating a solid year; for the visitors, every ball could be a lifeline in a relegation fight that has turned unforgiving.

Season Context

Udinese come into this round in 10th place with 50 points from 36 matches, built on 14 wins, 8 draws and 14 defeats. Their goal difference is narrow (45 goals scored, 46 conceded), underlining a side that has been competitive but rarely dominant. At home they have been steady rather than spectacular, but mid-table security allows them to chase a statement performance in front of their own crowd.

Cremonese sit 18th with 31 points from 36 games, firmly in the “Relegation - Serie B” zone. A record of 7 wins, 10 draws and 19 losses with 30 goals scored and 53 conceded highlights a team that has struggled at both ends (goal difference -23). Their away return has been fragile, and with time running out they must find a result in Udine to keep survival hopes alive.

Form & Momentum

Udinese’s recent form line of WWDLW paints a picture of a side finishing strongly (4 wins in their last 5 league outings). With 45 goals across 36 games, they average 1.25 goals per match, while conceding 1.28 (46 in 36), suggesting a team that accepts risk to impose itself. That positive run (WWDLW) should feed confidence, especially at a venue where they have scored 18 and conceded 20 in 18 home fixtures.

Cremonese arrive with the more fragile sequence WLLDL. Their season-long numbers show attacking difficulties (30 goals in 36 games, 0.83 per match) and defensive vulnerability (53 conceded, 1.47 per match), which justifies describing them as under pressure at the back (goal difference -23). Even that lone recent win inside WLLDL has not fully shifted momentum, and they travel knowing their away record of 13 goals scored and 28 conceded in 18 matches has often left them chasing games.

Head-to-Head Patterns

Recent Serie A meetings suggest Udinese enjoy this matchup, especially at home. On 20 October 2025, Cremonese and Udinese shared a 1-1 draw at Stadio Giovanni Zini in Serie A (Serie A, season 2025, October 2025), a tight contest that underlined Cremonese’s ability to compete on their own turf. On 23 April 2023, Udinese overpowered Cremonese 3-0 at Dacia Arena in Serie A (Serie A, season 2022, April 2023), a clear home win that showcased the Friulani’s superiority in Udine. Earlier that same league campaign, on 30 October 2022, Cremonese and Udinese played out a 0-0 stalemate at Stadio Giovanni Zini in Serie A (Serie A, season 2022, October 2022), a cagey affair in which neither side could find a breakthrough.

Tactical Preview

Udinese’s statistical profile and lineups data point towards a three-at-the-back base, most often a 3-5-2 (18 uses) and at times a 3-4-2-1 (8 uses). That structure allows them to balance their near-even season goal numbers (45 for, 46 against) with width from wing-backs and central overloads. With 11 clean sheets and only 9 matches without scoring, they are relatively reliable at both ends (11 clean sheets, 9 games failed to score). In attack, K. Davis is a central figure: 10 goals and 4 assists in 28 appearances underline his status as a regular scoring threat, supported creatively by N. Zaniolo, who has 5 goals and 6 assists and leads Udinese in key passes (53). Zaniolo’s 94 dribble attempts with 33 successes highlight how often Udinese look to him to break lines from the half-spaces.

Out of possession, Udinese’s three-centre-back setup, with defenders like C. Kabasele and O. Solet listed in the squad, is backed by a midfield that works hard: Zaniolo’s 28 tackles and J. Vandeputte–style profiles on the other side of the pitch show how key ball-winning and transitions are in this league context. The home side’s disciplinary numbers also matter; Zaniolo’s 8 yellow cards show his combative edge, something Udinese must manage carefully in a high-stakes game for their opponents.

Cremonese also lean heavily on a 3-5-2 (24 uses), occasionally switching to 4-4-2 (5 uses) or 3-1-4-2 (4 uses). Despite that mirrored shape, their execution has been less effective, reflected in 30 goals scored and 53 conceded over 36 league games. They have still managed 10 clean sheets, but 17 matches without scoring underline their attacking inconsistency. F. Bonazzoli is the main reference in the final third, with 9 goals and 1 assist in 33 appearances, backed by high shot volume (54 shots, 30 on target). Behind him, J. Vandeputte is the creative hub, with 5 assists and 53 key passes, while contributing defensively with 37 tackles and 18 interceptions, fitting the profile of a two-way midfielder in their 3-5-2.

Defensively, Cremonese’s back line features physical defenders like F. Baschirotto and G. Pezzella. Pezzella’s numbers—48 tackles, 11 blocks, 11 interceptions and 8 yellow cards plus one red card—show an aggressive style that can both protect the box and risk dangerous free-kicks or cards. Given Udinese’s ability to draw fouls through players like Zaniolo (61 fouls drawn) and K. Davis (47 fouls drawn), Cremonese must control their challenges to avoid being pinned back.

In transition, Cremonese’s lower attacking averages (0.8 goals per game) suggest they will likely focus on compactness and counter-attacks, hoping Bonazzoli can exploit any spaces behind Udinese’s wing-backs. Udinese, with a stronger last-five index (form 67%, attack 56%, defence 78%), are more likely to dominate territory, using their wing-backs and creative midfielders to stretch Cremonese’s three-man defence.

Statistical Snapshot

• Competition: Serie A, season 2025 — 17 May 2026.
• Venue: Bluenergy Stadium - Stadio Friuli, Udine.
• Prediction: Win or draw — Double chance : Udinese or draw.
• Win Probabilities: Home 50% / Draw 50% / Away 0%.
• Model: Udinese 71.2% — Cremonese 28.8%.

Betting Verdict

The prediction model strongly favours Udinese not to lose, with a “Win or draw” call and a double-chance recommendation towards the hosts backed by a 71.2% total comparison edge and a dominant last-five profile (Udinese last-five form 67% vs Cremonese 27%). Head-to-head in Udine also leans their way, notably the 3-0 home win in April 2023, while Cremonese’s season-long attack (30 goals in 36 games) has struggled to hurt opponents consistently. With bookmakers generally pricing the home win around 2.30–2.50 and Cremonese longer at roughly 3.00 or above, the value aligns with the safer angle of Udinese or draw rather than chasing an away upset. Given Udinese’s stronger momentum (WWDLW) and Cremonese’s defensive issues (53 goals conceded), backing the double chance on the hosts looks the most justified position.