Cagliari vs Parma

Cagliari and Parma will face off at the Stadio Sant’Elia in a direct meeting between two clubs fighting to remain in Serie A. Cagliari have been improving of late, while it has been a consistent struggle for Parma all season long.

The rossoblu are coming off of a 1-1 draw away to Juventus in their week 21 match at the Stadio Olimpico di Roma. It was quite the upset for the side managed by Ballardini as not many would have predicted that result. The point gives Cagliari 4 points from their last 2 matches but they remain in last place of the league table with 14 points, 2 points back of 19^th place Empoli. With Cagliari staring relegation right in the face every point remaining in play this season is huge, especially those at home. Cagliari have not done very well at home this season and have managed just 2 wins with 2 draws and 6 losses. Ballardini will not be able to count on Shala, Pisanu, and Marchini this week while Foggia is listed as doubtful. If Foggia cannot start, Cossu is set to start on the right flank just behind Matri who leads the club with 5 goals.

Parma come into this match with 19^th points on the year which are good enough for 17^th place. They are 1 point back of Siena and 1 ahead of Reggina. Therefore, they are anything but safe when it comes to the relegation zone of the Serie A table. Parma were beaten at home last week when they fell to Atalanta by a score of 2-3 at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. Manager Di Carlo’s side have hit a rough stretch of late with just 1 point from their last 5 matches. Defensively they have been awful having conceded 9 goals over those 5 matches. This match against last place Cagliari represents a good chance for Parma to get on track but the problem is that they have yet to win a match away from home this season. Castellini is slated to take over for the suspended Pisanu this week while Reginaldo will spell the injured Gasbarroni. Top scorer Corradi will start in attack with Lucarelli in a 4-4-2.

This match will literally be a final as the points mean the world to both sides. Cagliari are playing slightly better of late while Parma appear to be crashing. Neither side has taken many chances this season in terms of adventurous play which makes a draw seem highly likely.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)