Once top of the Serie A table after the opening 4 matches, Udinese have seen their fortunes wane drastically, now sitting in 9th place. Their latest challenge comes against a Genoa side hovering perilously close to the relegation zone, outside of it by just a single point. Both teams share a strikingly similar goals-per-game average of 2.7, driven by fragile defences and inconsistent attacks – making the likelihood of at least 2 goals a recurring theme in their campaigns.

Udinese’s recent form has been a testament to their struggles. With just 1 win in their last 5 matches, each of those fixtures has featured over 1.5 goals. Throughout the season, they’ve averaged 1.23 goals scored and 1.46 conceded per game, a pattern that has seen 10 of their 13 Serie A outings surpass the over 1.5 goal threshold. This trend speaks to their inability to keep games tight, as well as their capacity to find the net sporadically.

Genoa, meanwhile, are even less prolific in attack, averaging a mere 0.85 goals per game. However, their defensive frailty, with 1.85 goals conceded on average, has ensured their matches are rarely dull. Like Udinese, 10 of Genoa’s 13 league fixtures have featured 2 or more goals, and this trend extends to 10 of their last 12 games across all competitions.

Historical encounters between these sides further strengthen the case for goals. A notable 21 of their last 30 meetings between these two have seen over 1.5 goals, highlighting the attacking openness and defensive vulnerabilities that characterise this fixture.

With PSG carving out a 6-point lead at the top of Ligue 1, both Marseille and Monaco enter this pivotal clash with hopes of staying in the title race. As 2nd faces 3rd, the stakes are high, and the history between these sides suggests a thrilling encounter is on the cards.

Marseille boast the league’s second-best attack, averaging 2.25 goals per game, paired with a respectable defensive record of 1.33 conceded per match. However, their performances at the Stade Vélodrome have revealed defensive vulnerabilities. At home, they average 1.8 goals conceded per match while managing just a single goal in response.

Consequently, 60% of their home games have seen both teams score. That said, Marseille’s attacking prowess remains evident – they’ve only failed to score once on home turf against league leaders PSG, who share the league’s best defensive record.

Monaco’s defensive strength matches PSG’s, conceding just 0.83 goals per game on average. Away from home, they’ve been slightly tighter, conceding 0.8 per match. Their scoring consistency is equally impressive, with the team netting 2 goals per game across all competitions and finding the back of the net in every match this season. However, their defence hasn’t been impenetrable, with only 3 clean sheets in 7 away games, exposing them to potent attacks like Marseille’s.

History tilts the balance firmly in favour of goals at both ends. An extraordinary 78% of meetings between these two sides have seen both teams score, including 13 of their last 14 encounters. With both teams vying to remain in PSG’s shadow, an open and entertaining contest seems inevitable.