Udinese vs Cremonese: Serie A Clash at Bluenergy Stadium

Udinese welcome Cremonese to the Bluenergy Stadium - Stadio Friuli in Udine on 17 May 2026 for a high‑stakes Serie A clash with very different pressures on each side. The hosts start the weekend 10th in the league on 50 points, comfortably mid‑table, while the visitors sit 18th with 31 points and currently in the relegation zone. With only two games left in the regular season (this is Round 37), Cremonese are fighting for survival; Udinese are playing for a top‑half finish and momentum.

Form and season context

In the league, Udinese’s campaign has been defined by balance and inconsistency. They have 14 wins, 8 draws and 14 defeats from 36 matches, with a near‑even goal difference (45 scored, 46 conceded). Their recent form line of “WWDLW” in the standings suggests they arrive in decent shape, winning three of their last five league games and losing only once in that span.

At home, however, they have been less convincing: 6 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses from 18 matches, scoring 18 and conceding 20. That 1.0 goal per game at home (versus 1.5 away) underlines a side that is more pragmatic and often more cautious in Udine. Still, 6 home clean sheets show they can manage games when needed.

Cremonese’s situation is much more precarious. In the league they have 7 wins, 10 draws and 19 defeats, with a heavy goal difference of 30‑53. Their form line “WLLDL” hints at volatility: one win in the last five, three defeats and a draw. It is the profile of a team that struggles to string results together at the very moment consistency is essential.

Their away record is particularly alarming: 4 wins, 3 draws and 11 defeats from 18 away fixtures, with just 13 goals scored and 28 conceded. Averaging only 0.7 goals per game on the road, they often fail to carry enough attacking threat, and they have failed to score in 10 of their 18 away matches across all phases this season.

Tactical tendencies

Udinese’s season statistics paint the picture of a side built on structural flexibility but with a clear backbone. Their most used formation is 3‑5‑2 (18 matches), followed by variants like 3‑4‑2‑1 (8 matches) and occasional switches to back fours. The three‑at‑the‑back structures suggest an emphasis on defensive stability and wing‑back width, with the front two or a lone striker supported by advanced midfielders.

They average 1.3 goals scored and 1.3 conceded per match across all phases, reflecting a team that plays relatively balanced football rather than all‑out attack or deep defence. Eleven clean sheets in 36 games confirm that when their structure is right, they can shut opponents down. However, 9 matches without scoring also highlight that they can be blunted, particularly at home where they have failed to score in a third of their fixtures.

Cremonese are also predominantly a three‑at‑the‑back team: 3‑5‑2 has been used in 24 matches, with occasional moves to 4‑4‑2 and 3‑1‑4‑2. Like Udinese, they rely on wing‑backs, but their numbers show a much more fragile side: 1.5 goals conceded per game and only 0.8 scored across all phases. Ten clean sheets hint at some defensive resilience in specific game states, but 17 matches without scoring is a huge red flag for a team that needs points desperately.

Discipline may also matter in a tense relegation scrap. Cremonese have accumulated a notable number of yellow cards late in games (27.27% between 76‑90 minutes), and they have seen three red cards, two of them in the 91‑105 minute range. Under pressure, this tendency to pick up cards late on could be costly. Udinese, by contrast, have only one red card all season, and their yellow cards are more evenly spread.

Both sides are reliable from the penalty spot this season. Udinese have scored 5 out of 5 penalties in the league, while Cremonese are 3 out of 3. With no recorded misses for their main takers in the data, any spot‑kick awarded on Sunday could be decisive.

Key players

For Udinese, Keinan Davis is central to their attacking plan. The English striker has 10 league goals and 4 assists from 28 appearances, with a strong rating of 7.06. He has been efficient with his chances (24 shots on target from 37 attempts) and is active in link‑up play (364 passes with 28 key passes, 77% accuracy). His physical presence is clear from 305 duels contested, winning 143, and he draws a high number of fouls (47), which can help Udinese gain territory and set‑piece opportunities.

Importantly, Davis is also reliable from the spot, scoring 4 penalties with no misses recorded. Against a defence that has conceded 53 goals in the league, his combination of movement, hold‑up play and penalty‑box presence could be the difference.

Cremonese’s main attacking reference is Federico Bonazzoli. He has 9 goals and 1 assist from 33 appearances, with a solid rating of 7.00. He shoots frequently (54 shots, 30 on target) and is heavily involved in build‑up (803 passes, 13 key passes, 84% accuracy). Bonazzoli is also adept at winning fouls (75 drawn), a crucial attribute for a team that may rely on set pieces away from home. He has converted 2 penalties without a miss, making him a trustworthy option if Cremonese are awarded a spot‑kick.

Head‑to‑head record

Looking only at competitive meetings (excluding friendlies), the last three Serie A clashes between these sides are:

• On 20 October 2025 at Stadio Giovanni Zini, Cremonese 1‑1 Udinese (draw).
• On 23 April 2023 at Dacia Arena in Udine, Udinese 3‑0 Cremonese (Udinese win).
• On 30 October 2022 at Stadio Giovanni Zini, Cremonese 0‑0 Udinese (draw).

Across these three competitive fixtures, Udinese have 1 win, Cremonese have 0 wins, and there have been 2 draws. Udinese’s home record in this mini‑series is strong: a 3‑0 victory in their only home league meeting in this period.

Match‑up and likely patterns

Given the standings and profiles, the tactical script is clear. Udinese, safe in mid‑table, can approach this with controlled aggression. Their 3‑5‑2 allows them to crowd midfield, limit transitions and create overloads in wide areas. Expect them to use their wing‑backs to pin Cremonese deep and to look early for Davis between the lines and in the box.

Cremonese, needing points, face a dilemma: chase the game and risk exposing a defence that concedes 1.6 goals per match away, or stay compact and hope to nick a result. Their low away scoring rate suggests they are more likely to sit in a mid‑to‑low block, trying to keep it tight and rely on Bonazzoli’s work rate, set pieces and counters.

Discipline and late‑game management could be decisive. Udinese’s more controlled card profile and greater squad stability may help them see out a narrow lead, while Cremonese’s propensity for late yellow and red cards could undermine any defensive resistance if the match becomes frantic in the closing stages.

The verdict

All indicators point towards Udinese holding the edge. They are higher in the league, in better recent form, stronger defensively, and have a more reliable attacking spearhead in Keinan Davis. Their home record is not spectacular, but it is solid enough against a Cremonese side that struggles badly on the road and often fails to score.

Cremonese’s urgency and desperation for points cannot be discounted, and Bonazzoli’s threat means they are capable of troubling Udinese, especially from set pieces or penalties. However, the weight of the data suggests that over 90 minutes Udinese’s structure, balance and superior individual quality in attack should prevail.

Expect a tight game, with Udinese likely to control territory and chances, and Cremonese relying on moments rather than sustained pressure. A home win by a one‑ or two‑goal margin looks the most logical outcome.