Juventus Top Four Bid Gains Momentum As Conceicao Backs Juve Against Roma And Como

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Juventus visit Udinese on Saturday knowing their Champions League hopes may hinge on the result, with Francisco Conceicao convinced the Bianconeri are stronger than direct rivals Roma and Como as the three clubs chase the final qualification place.

Luciano Spalletti's Juventus sit sixth in Serie A, one point behind fourth-placed Como and fifth-placed Roma, leaving the table finely balanced ahead of the Udinese clash and placing extra pressure on the visitors to respond.

Data from the Opta supercomputer currently makes Como slight favourites to secure the final Champions League position with a 38.3% chance, while Juventus are given a 35.4% probability of finishing in the top four and Roma are rated at 32.9%.

Juventus have improved noticeably since Spalletti took charge on 30 October, collecting 35 points from 19 league matches, a tally matched only by Como and Napoli in that span and bettered solely by Inter, with 49 points, and AC Milan on 42.

Conceicao stated that the club must not miss out on Europe’s elite competition, backing Juventus to secure a top-four finish and making clear that attention inside the squad remains fixed on their own performances rather than those of Roma or Como.

When asked who will finish fourth in Serie A, Conceicao replied: "I'd say Juve, I don't care about which of the others make it. I care that we are there and thats what we're working for," underlining the internal expectation around the club.

Conceicao stressed that Juventus must turn belief into results, saying: "We know we have the quality to stay [in the Champions League]. We have to work hard and win the game [against Udinese]. We have to stay in the Champions League; we have the quality to do it. For me, we're stronger, but we have to show it. We have to win to stay up there, and we have to prove ourselves."

Juventus transfer angle and Bernardo Silva discussion

Attention also turned to the transfer market, with Conceicao asked about the prospect of Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, whose contract ends this summer, potentially joining Juventus, a move that would see another Portugal international arrive in Turin.

Speaking about Silva, Conceicao said: "I know Bernardo very well, and hes a great player," before adding: "Every team would like to have Bernardo in their side," making clear the respect held for the 31-year-old playmaker's influence.

Juventus and Udinese key players to watch

Keinan Davis is a central figure for Udinese after scoring against Fiorentina and Atalanta, leaving the forward on the brink of finding the net in three successive appearances in Europe’s top five leagues or their respective second tiers for the first time.

Davis has nine Serie A goals this season and could become the fourth English player to reach double figures in a single Italian top-flight campaign, following Tammy Abraham’s 17 goals in 2021-22, David Platt’s 11 in 1991-92 and Gerald Hitchens, who hit 16 in 1961-62 and 12 in 1962-63.

For Juventus, Kenan Yildiz is closing in on a club landmark, as the attacker also sits on nine league goals this campaign and stands to become the first foreign player in Juventus history to score at least ten Serie A goals before turning 21 in a single season.

Yildiz would be only the seventh Juventus player overall to reach double figures before a 21st birthday in one Serie A season, with the last to do so being Roberto Bettega, who scored 13 league goals during the 1970-71 campaign.

Juventus form guide, Udinese record and win probabilities

Historical trends favour Juventus in this fixture, with seven wins from their last eight Serie A meetings against Udinese, including victories in the most recent three contests and only two goals conceded in that entire eight-game sequence.

Juventus have also escaped defeat in 14 of their last 15 away league matches against Udinese, winning ten and drawing four, with Udinese’s sole home victory in that period a 2-1 success in July 2020, when Ilija Nestorovski and Seko Fofana overturned an opener from Matthijs de Ligt.

More recently, Juventus have shown defensive vulnerability away from home, letting in at least three goals in each of their last four away matches across all competitions and moving close to a club first, as they have never conceded three or more in five straight official away games since 1929-30.

Udinese enter this match with improved confidence after a win against Fiorentina and a draw with Atalanta, results that give the side a chance to go unbeaten in three consecutive Serie A fixtures for the first time since October of last year.

According to Opta’s win model, Juventus remain strong favourites despite those defensive concerns, while Udinese are viewed as outsiders and the likelihood of a draw is placed within a similar range to many Serie A fixtures this season.

Below is the Opta win probability breakdown for the Udinese versus Juventus league match.

With Juventus chasing a Champions League return, Udinese seeking stability and several players on the verge of milestones, the match carries weight at both ends of the table, and recent numbers suggest Spalletti’s side hold the advantage but must still address defensive issues away from home.