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)

Juventus vs Parma

Juventus are back at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino following their superb road win over the league leaders in week 30. They will be playing host to a Parma outfit that are in need of every point they can secure as the season enters its home stretch.

Juve are certainly in high sprits this week. In their last match they scored a superb 1-2 victory away to Inter Milan in their derby match at the San Siro. Thanks to the victory the side managed by Claudio Ranieri are now in 3^rd place of Serie A with 58 points on the present campaign. They are now 6 points back of 2^nd place AS Roma and 5 up on 4^th place Fiorentina. The vecchia signora have now extended their unbeaten run to 4 games with 3 wins over that stretch. In addition, they have conceded just 1 goal over those 4 matches. Part of the reason for Juventus resurgence of late has been their improved health overall. This week Zebina and Palladino are out so Salihamidzic will be taking over at the right fullback position. David Trezeguet is slowly finding the touch and banged home his 17^th goal last week.

Parma came up losers in their match under new Argentine manager Hector Cuper. The gialloblu fell by a score of 2-0 to Siena at the Mps Arena. With the loss Parma are 15^th in the Serie A table with 29 points. This leaves them 2 points back of 14^th place Torino but only 1 point ahead of Cagliari and the relegation zone. Therefore, they must tread very carefully. Over their past 5 matches they have posted just 1 win to go along with 3 losses and 1 draw. 5 players have been ruled out this week and that includes Coly, Pisanu, Parravicini and Morfeo while Lucarelli is out suspended. Cuper has been toying with going with a 4-3-2-1 formation for the away day to Juve so as to reinforce the midfield with players than can win the ball back such as Morrone, Mariga and Cigarini. Budan will play as the lone striker with Gasbarroni and Reginaldo just behind him.

It’s asking a lot for Parma to come out of this match with points. Juventus seem to be hitting their stride at just the right moment and are coming off of one of their biggest games of the season where they handed Inter Milan just their second loss of the year. Parma have yet to win a single match away from home having posted just 6 draws in 15 matches. If Ranieri can keep Juve focused and avoid overlooking Parma, Juve should have no problems.

Prediction: Juventus (1-0)

Livorno vs Parma

The battle to stave off relegation from Serie A to Serie B heats up this week when Livorno host Parma at the Stadio Armando Picchi. The two sides are coming off of losses last week making this contest very much a must win for both. It will be the debut in the dugout for new Parma boss Hector Cuper.

Livorno were away to SS Lazio last week and fell by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. The loss keeps Camolese’s side at 26 points which are good enough for 16^th place in the league table. They are 1 point back of 15^th place Catania and just 1 ahead of their rivals this week, Parma. They are going through a terrible stretch at this time which has seen them lose 4 of their last 5 matches. The injured list is extensive this week with Bergvold, Giannichedda, Rossini, Pulzetti and Volpe out, while Grandoni and De Vezze are out suspended. The lone bright spot is that the clubs 2 best strikers, Tavano and Tristan, are confirmed starters this week.

Parma come into this contest in 17^th place of the league table with 25 points. They are 1 point back of Livorno and just ahead of Empoli- who are in the relegation zone at this time- on goal difference. They were beaten at home last week by Sampdoria, 1-2 at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. Parma have now posted just 1 win in their last 5 matches to go along with 2 draws and 2 losses. This stretch finally forced the board to take action and manager Di Carlo was fired. He was replaced by former Inter Milan and Valencia boss Hector Cuper of Argentina. As Cuper only had 3 days in charge of the squad this week it is unlikely that he will make wholesale chances though it looks as though Lucarelli will be on the bench. The injured list consists of Morfeo, Coly and Couto while Falcone is out suspended. Look for Budan to be the lone striker.

Parma should be able to do well this week. When clubs switch managers, more times than not they do receive an emotional lift in that first match and that could help Parma immensely this week. Despite the fact that they have not won a single match away form home this year, Parma could very well come away with a point. After all, Livorno have won just 3 of 13 at home this season.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Parma vs Sampdoria

Parma face off with Sampdoria at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in week 27 of Serie A. Parma will be trying to bounce back from a humiliating loss away to Roma while Sampdoria were held to a disappointing draw at home.

The gialloblu fell away to Roma by a score of 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. The match marked the 2^nd time in 3 matches that Parma have conceded 4 goals in a match. Parma are now in 16^th place of the Serie A table and sit only 1 point ahead of the relegation zone, and 1 point behind 15^th place Livorno. Parma have posted 1 win, 1 loss and 3 draws over their last 5 games. This week the side managed by Di Carlo have just two injury concerns in Morfeo and Mariga. The rest of the squad will be at his disposal and he will be able to go with his standard 4-4-2 featuring Budan and Lucarelli in attack and Zenoni looks set to start at right fullback in place of Coly who will start on the bench.

Sampdoria are in 7^th place of the league table through 26 matches with 36 points. They are 3 points back of 6^th place Udinese and 1 point up on 8^th place Genoa. This leaves them in position to make a decent run at a spot in the UEFA Cup. Last week they played to a 2-2 draw at home to Torino at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. They have produced 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss over their last 5 games. This week it was confirmed that start striker Antonio Cassano received a 5 match suspension for his outburst against the match official in the game at home to Torino. Therefore, Mazzari will go with Bonazzoli and Delvecchio in attack with Ziegler and Maggio on the wings in a 3-5-2 set. Montella, Pieri, Bellucci and Campagnaro are out injured while Sala joins Cassano and will serve suspension this week, albeit for only 1 match.

Parma have not been able to find any consistency at home this season with only 5 wins from 13 matches. Luckily for Parma, Sampdoria have not been any better away from home as they have posted just 3 wins to go with 1 draw and 9 losses. In the case of the blucerchiati it’s either all or nothing when on the road. If Parma are to avoid relegation this year, this is a match they need to win but their awful defensive displays do not inspire much confidence.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Roma vs Parma

Roma will face off at home to Parma at the Stadio Olimpico as week 26 gets underway in Serie A. The giallorossi will be hoping to clear their heads of the frustrating result they obtained in their midweek match away to league leaders Inter Milan, while Parma will be looking to repeat their performance.

The side managed by Nedo Spaletti were playing superbly at the San Siro. Through 90 minutes they had built a 0-1 lead against Inter and were on the verge of trimming their deficit to 6 points. Instead, Roma were punished for failing to convert on their many counter attack chances and wound up settling for a 1-1 draw which leaves them with 52 points, 9 back of first place Inter. They hold a 4 point advantage over 3^rd place Juventus. They had come agonizingly close to finally handing Inter their first loss of the season. Instead they will look to get back on track at home against Parma. Roma will be missing Curci, Panucci and Cassetti to injury while Mexes is out suspended. Look for Juan to spell Mexes while Mancini returns to the left win after sitting out suspended. He will replace the impressive Vucinic who slides over to the bench.

Parma were victorious in their last match as they were able to hold out for a 2-0 win over Udinese. With the victory the side managed by Di Carlo are now in 14^th place of the league table with 25 points on the campaign. This leaves the gialloblu 2 points back of 13^th place Torino and just ahead of Siena. The victory snapped an unbeaten run of 4 matches which had seen Parma draw 3 in a row. This week top scorer Bernardo Corradi will be benched as Parma go with a 4-4-1-1 featuring Gasbarroni- a player in sensational form at this time- and Lucarelli as the lone striker.

It is tough to make a case for Parma in this match. While they are unbeaten on the road in their last 2 matches their overall road record stands at 0 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses. Only Catania and Reggina have failed to win away this year along with Parma. Meanwhile, Roma have lost just 1 match at home to go with 9 wins and 2 draws and they will be extremely focused this week as they need to bounce back from the draw away to Inter. Look for the Roma to take care of business at home.

Prediction: Roma (2-0)

Torino vs Parma

Torino are home to Parma in week 24 for a match that could go a long way in determining the fate of these two clubs that find themselves in the wrong half of the Serie A league table. The contest will be played at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino.

Torino are currently in 13^th place of the league table with 25 points for the season. This leaves them just 1 point behind 12^th place SS Lazio and 2 points up on Catania. They are coming off of a 0-0 draw away to Siena last week. The victory extended the club’s unbeaten run to 4 consecutive matches. That 4 match unbeaten run includes victories over Reggina and Palermo by scores of 3-1 along with an impressive record of just 2 goals conceded over those 4 games. Still, as positive as their current run has been only 4 points separate Francesco Novellino’s side from the relegation zone and that makes every home match a key game. Il Toro will be missing Rubin, Dellafiore, Oguro and Bjelanovic to injury while Motta is out suspended. Top scorer Rosina who leads the club with 6 goals, will start up front with Stellone in 4-4-2.

Parma were held to a 0-0 draw at home last week by AC Milan at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. The two dropped points at home have Parma in 18^th place of Serie A with 21 points for the year. They are 3 points ahead of Reggina and just behind 17^th place Siena on goal difference. If the season were to end today they would make the drop to Serie B. Their winless run continues and about the only positive news for manager Di Carlos this week is that a couple of players who have been out of action for a while, Coly and Cigarini, are close to action and have been included in the squad list for the visit to Torino. Look for both players to get some action in the second half while Parma go with their base 4-4-2 featuring to scorer Corradi in attack.

The trends are not good for Parma coming into this contest. Torino have been playing very well and at home in particular thanks to some superb defensive work. Meanwhile, the gialloblu have yet to win a single match away from home this season. Look for i granata to pull out a positive result.

Prediction: Torino (1-0)

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)

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)

Parma vs Fiorentina

Parma return home to host Fiorentina at the Tardini hoping that their recent good run at home continues. Fiorentina are on a high note having just put forth one of their most impressive offensive performances of the season in their last Serie A match at home to Cagliari.

The side managed by Domenico Di Carlo are in 13^th place of the league table with 18 points. They are just behind 12^th place AC Milan on goal difference and just ahead of Lazio. In their last match before the end of year break they were beaten on the road away to Genoa by a score of 1-0. The result continues a pattern of Jekyll & Hyde results for Parma depending on whether they are home or away. They have lost their last 3 matches without scoring a goal on the road, while winning their last 2 without conceding a goal at home. Should that pattern continue it stands to reason that they will win this match without conceding a goal. The club gets a boost in the back line this week as Castellini is available and will be at the left fullback position.

Cesare Prandelli’s club are in 5^th place of the Serie A table with 28 points. This leaves them just 1 point back of 4^th place Udinese and 3 points ahead of upstarts Palermo.The Purple side scored 5 goals in their last match when they held serve at home to trounce the struggling Cagliari by a score of 5-1at the Artemio Franchi. This week they will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 3 matches when they visit Parma. The good news for Prandelli is that there are no injury or suspension concerns meaning the viola are at full strength. Look for them to go with a 4-3-3 featuring Adrian Mutu- their leading scorer with 9 goals, Christian Vieri and the Argentine Santana in attack.

This is a tough one for Parma. While they have won 2 straight at home they have just 4 wins at home for the season and will taking on a Fiorentina outfit who are not only in better overall form, but they are at full strength and have lost just one match on the road all season. Look for the visitors to hold out for point.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Genoa vs Parma

Genoa face off against Parma in a match up of sides sitting in the wrong half of the Serie A league table. The two sides are separated by just two points with Genoa currently in 15^th place with 16 points just behind Torino on goal difference. The visiting Parma are in 12^th place with 18 points and are just behind AC Milan on goal difference.

The grifone are coming off of a 1-1 draw away to Empoli last week at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. That result has stretched their winless run now to 9 matches. Their last win was a 2-0 victory over Cagliari in mid October. The side managed by Gasperini will have a couple of important absences this week especially in the back line. In addition to the suspended Nova, both Danilo and Bega are out. At this time Gasperini is leaning towards keeping his 3-4-3 formation with De Rosa and Santos coming on to fill in the holes in the 3 man back line. On a bright note striker Di Vaio is available and will start on the bench.

Parma come into week 17 having held serve at home in their last match with a convincing 3-0 victory over Reggina at the Tardini stadium. Defensively they have been playing very strong at home, having posted back to back shut outs over Empoli and Reggina. The problem has been scoring away from home which they have not been able to do in their last two road contests. In fact, Parma are winless on the road all season. This week manager Di Carlo looks set to repeat the same starting eleven that got the job done a week ago. It will feature the usual 4-4-2 with Bernardo Corradi joined by Gasbarroni upfront and goal scoring defender Paci at the back. Both Paci and Falcone will have their hands full this week with Genoa’s Borriello who has already scored 7 goals this season.

Genoa are anything but a lock at home with just 2 wins in 8 matches so far. However, Parma have yet to win a single match away from home this season managing instead just 2 draws and 5 losses. Despite these numbers, Parma are certainly the side in best form and the fact that Genoa will be using a make shift defense could prove crucial. Look for Parma to hold out for at least a point.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

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