Parma vs AC Milan

Parma face a stern test at home in week 23 when they host AC Milan at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. Milan are coming off of a draw but are currently on a 6 match unbeaten run which stretches back to last year. Meanwhile AC Milan are in the middle of a 6 match unbeaten run and can move into the top 4 in the league table with a victory and some help from other results.

Parma were able to hold out for a draw in their last match away to last place Cagliari by a score of 1-1 at the Stadio Sant’Elia. The point gives the side managed by Di Carlo 20 points for the season from 22 matches and that is good enough for 17the place in the Serie A table. They are one point up on 18^th place Empoli and just behind 16^th place Siena. The club has hit some hard times over their last 5 matches as evidenced by their 2 draws and 3 losses which has seen them concede 9 goals. Parma will have some important absences this week as well. Coly and Lucarelli remain out due to injury while Bernardo Corradi and Parravicini are out suspended. Corradi is the clubs top scorer so look for Budan and Reginaldo to start in attack.

The Rossoneri played to a 1-1 draw in their last match at home to Livorno which was a midweek make up contest. It was a very costly match for Milan as not only did they drop two points at home but they also lost Brazilian striker Ronaldo for the rest of the season. He was injured only 3 minutes after having come on as a substitute. The result also saw Milan’s 4 match win streak draw to a close. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad are now in 5^th place of Serie A with 37 points and sit 1 point behind Fiorentina while maintaining a 4 point edge on 6^th place Udinese. In addition to Ronaldo being out both Alexandre Pato and Clarence Seedorf will miss out due to injury. On the bright side, Kaka’ and Alessandro Nesta will both return to the starting eleven.

The loss of Ronaldo was a huge blow to Milan, not only because of the caliber of player that he is, but because of how popular he is among his mates. It will be interesting to see how they fare in this first match without him. Parma have not exactly been world beaters at home this year with just 4 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses from 11 matches. AC Milan should have enough in the tank to secure a draw despite having had less rest this week.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)