Having enjoyed a surprisingly bright start to the new season, Udinese will attempt to cement their place in the top 3 by defeating struggling Parma.

I Ducali are desperate for a morale-boosting victory after suffering the third loss in four matches, but in-form Zebrette will take some stopping.

After Francesco Guidolin had taken the club as far as he could, talented coach Andrea Stramaccioni was appointed in his place this summer and this is already proving to be a very good decision.

For the first time in quite a while, Udinese succeeded in hitting the ground running early on, having enjoyed one of the best starts to a league campaign ever.

Following the opening triumph over Empoli, the Zebrette were unable to match holders Juventus, but back to back wins over Napoli and Lazio saw them climb to third in the league standings.

And having defeated two of the best Serie A sides, Udinese can be backed at 2.30 (13/10) to see off out-of-sorts Parma as well.

The Friulani defeated the same opponents 3-1 at home last season and they are definitely in a good position to record another victory.

Antonio Di Natale will be recalled after he was rested in midweek, while Maurizio Domizzi and Giampiero Pinzi are again available for selection. Gabriel Silva, Simone Scuffet and Albert Riera are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Karnezis – Widmer, Heurtaux, Danilo, Pasquale – Guilherme, Allan, Badu – Kone – Di Natale, Thereau.

Parma did brilliantly to pip several top sides to the final Europa League berth last season, even if they were ultimately banned from taking part in Europe.

And that decision seems to have had quite an effect on the squad, with I Ducali still trying to rediscover their top form.

Parma have now lost three of opening four matches, defeating only Chievo on the road, while losing to Cesena, Milan and Roma, and they are desperate to get their campaign back on track.

Roberto Donadoni’s side showed some promise in the home clash with Roma, but were denied a point as Pjanic scored a late free-kick, and no doubt they are in for another difficult encounter.

But, having won six away matches in the previous campaign, while beating Chievo this season, Parma are 3.60 (13/5) to return to winning ways at Friuli.

Antonio Cassano should be fit to play after shaking off a minor knock, but Gabriel Paletta, Jonathan Biabiany, Mattia Cassani and Soufiane Bidaoui remain on the sidelines.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Mirante – Mendes, Lucarelli, Felipe, De Ceglie – Acquah, Lodi, Jorquera – Ghezzal, Cassano, Belfodil.