Inter enter the trip to Udinese still leading the Serie A title race, and Francesco Pio Esposito insisted the squad cannot show fear. The 20-year-old forward came off the bench to score the decisive goal
in the 1-0 victory over Lecce on Wednesday, a result that preserved Inter’s narrow advantage at the top of the table.
That win kept Inter three points clear of AC Milan, with Napoli six points further back and Juventus seven adrift of the leaders. Esposito is also making an impact statistically from the bench, with two goals and two assists. Among substitutes in Europe’s top five leagues with more than one goal and one assist, only Koln’s Said El Mala is younger.
Inter have collected 46 points from their Serie A campaign so far and the numbers strengthen their status as favourites. On each of the previous 10 occasions they reached at least 49 points after 21 league fixtures, they always finished in the top two, taking the Scudetto seven times and ending second on three occasions.
The away form of Inter is also strong heading to Friuli. They have won five successive Serie A matches on the road, conceding only twice and keeping clean sheets in the latest two. The last time Inter completed three straight away league victories without conceding came between October 2024 and January 2025, when they produced a run of seven.
Inter could also reach or surpass 16 wins after 21 league games for the sixth time in their Serie A history, having already claimed 15 victories from 20 outings. Each of the previous five seasons in which they managed that benchmark ended with the Scudetto heading to Inter, most recently in 2023-24, underlining their current title position.
Esposito insisted the growing advantage inspires Inter rather than adding tension as the schedule continues. When asked whether the widening gap created motivation or pressure, Esposito was clear about the mindset within the dressing room. "It motivates us, we cannot be afraid when that is our objective. Every game is difficult, as we saw once again, but we want to hang in there," Esposito told DAZN Italia.
Udinese arrive in 10th place after a 2-2 home draw against Pisa in their previous Serie A fixture, eight points away from the European positions. Their recent run is mixed, with only one win in five league games, alongside two draws and two defeats. That sequence began with a heavy 5-1 loss away to Fiorentina.
The reverse meeting earlier this season offers some confidence for Udinese, who beat Inter after previously losing five straight league clashes against the Nerazzurri. Udinese last completed a Serie A double over Inter in the 2012-13 campaign, when Francesco Guidolin was in charge. They have also drawn their past two home league matches, after just two draws in the previous 10 at home.
Udinese forward Keinan Davis is a central figure for the hosts. Davis has scored six goals in 19 Serie A appearances this season, already twice his combined total from 31 league games across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. Davis also scored in Udinese’s most recent Serie A outing but has never found the net in two consecutive matches in either Serie A or the Premier League.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez carries strong numbers into this fixture as well. Martinez has hit six Serie A goals against Udinese, scoring in five separate matches, and has only scored in more games against four clubs: Lazio and Torino with six, Atalanta with eight, and Cagliari with 10. Martinez has five away goals this season and could join Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe as the third player to record more than five away league goals in each of the last seven seasons across Europe’s top five divisions, starting from 2019-20.
Following Esposito’s winning goal versus Lecce, Inter head coach Cristian Chivu celebrated emotionally on the pitch with the young striker. Chivu previously guided Esposito in the youth system, and that link remains important for the forward. "I saw the coach there, Im happy, as he had rushed up to celebrate with us when he was the coach of the Primavera youth team too," added Esposito.
"Our bond is made up of few words, but a lot of affection. Hes one of those people who doesnt need to say much, you just know hell be there for you. Ive known him for years, we practically grew up together, him as a coach and me as a player, in the youth team. Its a very important relationship for me. "
Gym bro da arm day pic.twitter.com/bD78q7hKilInter (@Inter) January 16, 2026
Inter vs Udinese Serie A Opta prediction
Inter’s overall superiority is reflected in the forecast figures for this match. The Nerazzurri also know that, despite recent consistency, Udinese have shown resilience at home with those back-to-back draws. The hosts meanwhile seek to repeat their victory from the earlier encounter this season and edge closer to the European spots.
| Result | Opta win probability |
|---|---|
| Udinese win | 15.8% |
| Draw | 21.0% |
| Inter win | 63.2% |
Overall, Inter travel to Udinese with statistical strength, a narrow yet solid lead in the standings, and confidence drawn from Esposito’s recent influence and Martinez’s record. Udinese, despite mixed form, have recent success against Inter and home resilience, offering enough elements to keep this Serie A meeting competitive for both clubs.
