Udinese, by virtue of the 1-0 win that relegated Torino, are back in the race for UEFA Cup football and will be looking to put further pressure on sixth-placed Parma by beating Modena.

Modena are almost safe and will be determined to get the result that will allow them to start thinking about their summer holidays.

Udinese's success has been measured by the fact that their irascible owner Giampaolo Pozzo has confirmed Luciano Spalletti as coach for another year.

Pozzo is not renowned for his patience with his coaches and that is praise indeed for the former Venezia boss.

Against Modena, Spalletti will have to do without striker Roberto Muzzi whose chronic problems with his troublesome right knee continue to hamper him.

Also absent are Sergio Caballero, Regis Genaux, Alberto, Sergio Almiron, Feliciano Magro, Warley and Andrea Sottil.

Instead, Spalletti is likely to start with Vincenzo Iaquinta as a solitary striker with Martin Jorgensen and Giuseppe Gemiti in close support.

Udinese's Czech midfielder Marek Jankulowski hopes to continue his good recent form.

"I think I have made my contribution in the second half of the season," said the former Napoli player. "Even though my international commitments have sometimes got in the way.

"That's the way it was against Torino and we will see if I can do the business again against Modena. I will try and score from a free-kick again because that's my speciality."

Modena boss Gianni De Biasi, whose name has been linked with the Bologna and Brescia jobs this week, is also planning to field one striker and two in close support.

Fabio Vignaroli will lead the line with Diomansy Kamara and Giuseppe Colucci just behind while Emiliano Moretti will come into defence for the suspended Mauro Mayer.

Luca Ungari is his only absentee through injury.

De Biasi, who led Modena back to the Serie A after a 38-year absence last summer, said: "What interests us now is avoiding relegation and in our way is a difficult obstacle called Udinese who are just as motivated as us.

"However they play we need a Modena that is focused and decisive in midfield and creating a game as it knows how too.

"We are very close to being safe but it is a mistake to start singing victory songs and counting our chickens before they are hatched.

"It's when you do that that you get nothing and it makes taking home the three points all the more difficult. We hope we can save ourselves soon and then the last two games will be relatively calm."

In the seven previous matches between the clubs at the Stadio Friuli. Udinese have won four and drawn three. It is the first season the clubs have met in Serie A.

Teams:
Udinese (probable): De Sanctis; Gemiti, Bertotto, Sensini, Pieri; Jankulovski, Pizarro, Felipe, Jorgensen; Iaquinta, Muzzi

Modena (probable): Ballotta; Moretti, Cevoli, Pavan; Ponzo, Marasco, Milanetto, Balestri; Colucci, Kamara; Vignaroli