Udinese vs Parma preview - Brkic sidelined for Udinese

Udinese head coach Francesco Guidolin has "the knife between his teeth" as the Bianconeri look to atone for a poor start to the season with victory over Parma.

The Friulians were facing an uphill battle to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League after losing 3-1 at home to Slovan Liberec last week and they were unable to overturn the deficit in Slovenia on Thursday night as Andrea Lazzarri's goal was only good enough to secure a 1-1 draw.

Udinese also lost their Serie A season-opener at Lazio last weekend, meaning Guidolin is especially keen to give Parma a hostile reception at the Stadio Friuli on Sunday night.

He told udinese.it: "In terms of their commitment I can take nothing away from the team.

"I would have preferred to have been in a situation where Slovan were forced to score, because then we could control our own chances of qualification.

"I said before the Lazio game that what I wanted, European qualification or not, was my players to have the attitude of a peasant with the knife between his teeth.

"We are a team that needs to have that attitude.

"I can't criticise them for any lack of commitment but now we have to dive into the championship, which remains our main objective."

Goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic is injured so Guidolin must decide who he can rely on from his back-up stoppers: Simone Scuffet, Ivan Kelava and Francesco Benussi.

Parma, who were held to a goalless draw by Chievo on the opening weekend, are missing midfielder Daniele Galloppa and defender Gabriel Paletta through injury.

Following the stalemate in the Ducale city, Parma coach Roberto Donadoni said: "I like to look at the glass as half full but it's clear we must make improvements in some areas."

The Gialloblu are out for revenge having been beaten 3-0 on home turf by Udinese last season but they have not taken three points from the north east since April 2011.