Udinese are up and down

Udinese defender Thomas Heurtaux concedes his team's lack of consistency this season is proving costly.

The Friuli outfit takes on Cagliari in Sardinia on Sunday, and are currently sitting 12th in Serie A with 28 points from 25 games.

It is a far cry from last year, where they were fifth at the same stage of the campaign.

"We had a fantastic season last year," Heurtaux said. "We won eight consecutive games to qualify for the Europa League.

"The team hasn't changed much with respect to last season and we have a lot of quality.

"The problem is that we are a long way away off the consistency we had last season.

"We've had ups and downs so far."

Udinese, coached by Francesco Guidolin, were held to a 1-1 draw by Atalanta last weekend in Udine, where they have won just one of their last five league games.

They are eight points clear of the relegation zone heading into the game at the Sant' Elia stadium.

Opponents Cagliari are also having their share of problems.

The Sardinian outfit are winless on the road this season while they have lost three of their last four encounters at home.

Last weekend's 1-1 draw at Inter Milan eased the pressure on coach Diego Lopez and lifted Cagliari to 15th place, five points clear of the drop zone.

"It was important for us to get a point at Inter," Cagliari striker Mauricio Pinilla said. "We gave a good performance and this result will no doubt give us a boost in confidence ahead of our game against Udinese."

Cagliari are without the services of suspended midfielders Albin Ekdal and Daniele Conti.

The good news for the hosts is that defender Davide Astori has shaken off a groin injury and will feature this weekend.

The visitors are without midfielder Maurizio Domizzi, who serves a one-match ban.

The good news for Udinese and Guidolin is that Heurtaux and midfielder Roberto Pereyra return from suspensions.