Atalanta forward Gustavo Denis (#19) is challenged by Raul Albiol (R) of Napoli. (Photo : Getty Images)
Middling squads Udinese Calcio (6-8-3, 21 points) and Atalanta BC (7-7-3, 24 points) are scheduled to square off at the Stadio Friuli in Udine this Wednesday, January 6 to continue the second half of the 2015-2016 Serie A season.
Udinese is coming off an inspiring 1-0 upset over Torino at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino last December 20, snapping their two-game losing slide, as per Soccerway.
Croatian forward Stipe Perica, on loan from Chelsea, provided the lone goal for Stefano Colantuono's side at the 41st minute as Bianconeri Friuliani also survived a one-man disadvantage when defender Molla Wague was sent off four minutes after the hour mark due to a second yellow card.
It was the Zebrette's third win in its last six matches, which settled them at the 13th spot in the league table.
Meanwhile, Atalanta was blown out by top team Napoli, 3-1, at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo also last December 20, via SkySports.
Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik opened the scoring seven minutes into the second half, which was immediately equalized by Atalanta winger Alejandro Gomez after two minutes.
It was the one and only goal for Edy Reja's squad as Napoli's Argentinian forward Gonzalo Higuaín added two more late in the game to bury La Dea.
The game also featured two red cards given to Napoli's Jorginho and Atalanta's Gabriel Paletta at the 73rd and 90th minutes respectively.
It was I Nerazzurri's second straight loss after winning two straight games.
The predicted result is a close 1-0 win for Atalanta. La Dea is projected to snap its two-game skid against lowly Udinese.
Udinese starting lineup (3-5-2 formation): Karnezis; Domizzi, Danilo, Felipe; Widmer, Agyemang-Badu, Lodi, Fernandes, Edenilson; Perica, Di Natale
Atalanta starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Bassi; Bellini, Stendardo, Conti, Brivio; Gollini, de Roon, Cigarini; Moralez, Denis, Gomez
