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 as Udinese host Cremonese in the penultimate round of Serie A. Udinese, sitting safely in mid-table, chase a strong finish and a top-half statement, while Cremonese arrive with their Serie A status on the line, fighting to escape the shadow of the “Relegation - Serie B” tag that currently defines their place in the table.

Season Context

Udinese enter this fixture in 10th place with 50 points from 36 matches, built on 14 wins, 8 draws and 14 defeats. Their goal difference is narrowly negative (45 goals scored, 46 conceded), underlining a side that has often been competitive but not always clinical, yet firmly clear of any relegation anxiety.

Cremonese travel to Udine in 18th place on 31 points after 36 games, with 7 wins, 10 draws and 19 losses. The numbers tell the story of a struggling campaign (30 goals scored, 53 conceded, goal difference -23) and their current label of “Relegation - Serie B” makes this trip a potential last lifeline in their bid to stay in the top flight.

Form & Momentum

Udinese’s recent league form string of “WWDLW” reflects a side finishing strongly, with three wins in their last five and only one defeat in that run (3 wins in 5 matches). Across the campaign they average 1.25 goals scored per game and 1.28 conceded (45 goals for and 46 against over 36 matches), suggesting a team that plays on the front foot but occasionally leaves spaces that opponents can exploit.

Cremonese arrive with the more fragile sequence “WLLDL”, where three defeats in their last five underline inconsistency at the worst possible time (3 losses in 5). Over the season they have found goals hard to come by (0.83 scored per game from 30 in 36) while shipping too many at the other end (1.47 conceded per game from 53 in 36), a combination that explains their presence in the relegation places.

Head-to-Head Patterns

Recent Serie A meetings between these sides show Udinese holding a slight edge without total dominance. On 20 October 2025, Cremonese and Udinese drew 1-1 at Stadio Giovanni Zini (Serie A, season 2025, October 2025), a balanced contest that underlined how tight this matchup can be when Cremonese are at home.

Back on 23 April 2023, Udinese produced a convincing 3-0 home victory over Cremonese at Dacia Arena (Serie A, season 2022, April 2023), a result that showcased the Friulani’s attacking power when they find rhythm. Earlier that same Serie A campaign, on 30 October 2022, Cremonese and Udinese battled to a 0-0 stalemate at Stadio Giovanni Zini (Serie A, season 2022, October 2022), a reminder that this fixture can also become a cagey, defensive affair.

Tactical Preview

Udinese’s statistical profile points towards a flexible but broadly proactive side. Their most used system is a 3-5-2 (18 matches), often shifting into a 3-4-2-1 (8 matches) to get an extra attacker between the lines, with occasional switches to 4-4-2 (3 matches). With 45 goals in 36 league games (1.25 per match), Udinese have enough offensive punch to justify those attacking shapes, while 11 clean sheets across the campaign indicate that their back three can be solid when well protected (11 clean sheets in 36 fixtures).

In attack, K. Davis is a central figure for Udinese as an attacker with 10 league goals and 4 assists, supported by strong all-round numbers (37 shots, 24 on target, 28 key passes). N. Zaniolo, listed as an attacker in the squad and a leading creator with 6 assists and 5 goals, adds drive and unpredictability from advanced positions (94 dribble attempts, 33 successful), even if his combative style brings disciplinary risk (8 yellow cards). Together they give Udinese both a penalty-box focal point and a ball-carrying threat between the lines.

Cremonese are more rigid structurally, leaning heavily on a 3-5-2 (24 matches) but also using 4-4-2 (5 matches) and 3-1-4-2 (4 matches) when chasing different game states. Their season-long return of 30 goals in 36 games (0.83 per match) highlights a cautious, often reactive approach, while 53 goals conceded (1.47 per game) show how often their defensive block has been stretched. Still, 10 clean sheets suggest that when their structure holds, they can be difficult to break down (10 matches without conceding).

Offensively, F. Bonazzoli is crucial as an attacker with 9 goals and 1 assist, backed by a high shot volume (54 attempts, 30 on target) and strong involvement in build-up (803 passes, 13 key passes). Behind him, J. Vandeputte offers creativity from midfield with 5 assists and 1 goal, plus 53 key passes and 18 interceptions, making him both a playmaker and a key figure in transitions. Defensively, G. Pezzella stands out with 48 tackles, 11 interceptions and 8 yellow cards plus one red card, embodying Cremonese’s combative edge but also their disciplinary risk.

The key battle will be Udinese’s attacking pairings against Cremonese’s back three. Udinese’s preference for multi-forward systems (3-5-2 and 3-4-2-1 combining for 26 matches) should stretch Cremonese’s central defenders, especially if Zaniolo finds pockets around the half-spaces. Conversely, Cremonese will look to use their wing-backs and midfield runners from the 3-5-2 to counter into the spaces behind Udinese’s advanced wing-backs, hoping Bonazzoli can convert limited chances with his efficient shooting (30 shots on target).

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 leans heavily towards the hosts avoiding defeat, and the numbers support a cautious but positive stance on Udinese in the double-chance market. With Udinese in stronger recent form (“WWDLW”) and boasting a better goal profile (45 scored versus Cremonese’s 30), backing “Udinese or draw” aligns with both performance trends and the model’s 71.2% total edge for the home side. Match-winner odds on Udinese sit roughly between 2.30 and 2.50, reflecting their status as favourites but leaving room for Cremonese’s desperation to keep the game tight. Given Cremonese’s poor recent run (“WLLDL”) and relegation pressure, the safer angle is to follow the advice and side with Udinese on the double chance rather than chasing a riskier outright result.