Udinese have started the season on strong form, but Spezia will be buoyed by their first game on home turf now the Stadio Picco has been revamped.
The Friulani fought back from 2-0 down to hold Juventus 2-2 in the opening fixture, then flattened Venezia 3-0, putting them in an excellent position after just two rounds. They should be able to give Portuguese striker Beto his debut, probably off the bench, while Brandon Soppy pushes Nahuel Molina for a starting spot.
Spezia can finally play in front of their home fans following restructuring work and are certainly not dull under new coach Thiago Motta, scoring three goals and conceding eight. Mehdi Bourabia is expected to feature in midfield following his transfer from Sassuolo.
Stat fact: Spezia have lost just one of their last nine Serie A home games, against Napoli in May, along with four wins and four stalemates.
Probable line-ups
Spezia (4-3-3): Zoet; Ferrer, Nikolaou, Hristov, Bastoni; Agudelo, Bourabia, Maggiore; Verde, Gyasi, Colley
Suspended: Amian
Injured: Leo Sena, Erlic
On a yellow card: None
Udinese (3-5-2): Silvestri; Becao, Nuytinck, Samir; Soppy, Arslan, Walace, Pereyra, Stryger-Larsen; Deulofeu, Pussetto
Suspended: None
Injured: Nestorovski, Udogie, Forestieri
On a yellow card: None