Akor Adams and Maduka Okoye will come up against each other on Friday when Venezia host Udinese in a crucial Serie A meeting at the Stadio Penzo.

The Super Eagles team-mates are both expected to play important roles as their clubs attempt to escape the bottom end of the Italian top-flight table.

Venezia are bottom with three points from 10 matches, while Udinese sit only two points higher on five points. Both teams are in urgent need of a result after difficult starts to the season.

The clubs have each changed managers in response to a poor run of results.

Venezia dismissed Giovanni Stroppa after losing their first six league matches and brought in Davide Nicola to improve their fortunes. Nicola’s tenure began positively, with Venezia beating Napoli 1-0 at home on October 17. Adams scored the winning goal.

The newly promoted side have been unable to build on that victory, however, losing their next three matches against Genoa, Inter Milan and Como by 1-0, 2-0 and 1-0 respectively.

Venezia have scored only six goals in 10 league games and have conceded more than two goals per match, underlining the scale of Nicola’s task as he attempts to steady the team.

Adams joined Venezia from Sevilla in July and has scored twice in the league this season. The 26-year-old forward remains a key attacking option and says he is ready to continue developing under Nicola.

“I have a lot to learn. I have a lot of room to grow, and I think the coach is here to help me with whatever I need,” Adams said.

Okoye, meanwhile, will be aiming to respond after a difficult appearance in Udinese’s 5-2 home defeat by Roma on October 31. The goalkeeper conceded five times, with four of the goals coming before half-time.

That result led to the departure of German manager Kosta Runjaic. Udinese have appointed Paolo Zanetti as his successor, bringing back the Italian who previously guided the club to promotion in 2021 after his spell with Venezia.

Udinese arrive in Venice having lost seven of their past eight matches. Their total of five points from 10 games represents their worst start to a Serie A season this century.

Their recent record against Venezia provides some encouragement. Udinese have won five of their last seven league meetings with Friday’s hosts and also eliminated them in the Coppa Italia earlier this season.

However, Udinese have won only once at the Stadio Penzo in Serie A.

Adams will be looking to rediscover his goalscoring form and help Venezia’s survival effort, while Okoye will be hoping for a commanding display as Udinese seek an immediate improvement under Zanetti.