Parma vs Inter Milan

Parma face the most difficult of tests in the last week of the season as they play host to league leaders Inter Milan at the Stadio Ennio Tardini needing a victory and some help to avoid the drop. Making matters worse for Parma is that Inter need to win this match as well in order to win the Serie A league title.

Parma are coming off of a crushing loss away to Fiorentina by a score of 3-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. That loss resulted in the sacking of Argentine manager Hector Cuper and leaves Parma in 18^th place of the league table with 34 points, 2 back of 17^th place Catania. In order to avoid relegation Parma must defeat Inter Milan and hope that Catania do not defeat AS Roma. Failure to win by Parma will see them fall to the Serie B. The gialloblu have now lost 4 of their last 5 matches and this will be their first and possibly only match under new manager Manzo. At this time Moreo and Falcone have been ruled out due to injury while Rossi, Dessena and Mariga are out suspended. Parma are expected to go with a 4-3-2-1 featuring Lucarelli in attack with Budan and Reginaldo just behind them.

Inter Milan are in a must win situation as a draw could see AS Roma leap-frog over them with a victory in their match and give them the title. The neroazzurri sit in 1^st place with 82 points, just 1 point ahead of Roma after having been held to a 2-2 draw at home by Siena in their meeting at the San Siro. This contest away to Parma is their moment of truth as failure to win the league title would result in their campaign going down as one of the biggest collapses ever. The injured list remains cluttered for the side managed by Roberto Mancini as Dacourt, Samuel, Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, Luis Figo, Solari and Cambiasso are all out and Ibrahimovic is not expected to be able to start. Inter should go with a 4-3-2-1 with Julio Cruz as the lone striker with Balotelli and the Brazilian Cesar just behind him.

Inter Milan have been one of the best clubs in Serie A when playing away from home and for this reason have every chance of coming up with a win. Parma have posted 7 wins and 6 draws from 18 home matches. Their backs are against the wall and they surely will give a phenomenal effort. However, Inter Milan cannot under any circumstances fail to win this match as it would taint the club forever should Roma get the result they needed. Look for Inter to find a way to pull it out.

Prediction: Inter Milan (1-2)