Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to temporarily find a route into the top-half of the Serie A standings, Parma will welcome Cagliari to the Stadio Ennio Tardini on Friday night.
Parma
Starting with the hosts, while Parma might have suffered consecutive Serie A defeats on either side of opening February, Carlos Cuesta’s side have come roaring back in a stellar fashion. Skyrocketing themselves away from a looming relegation scrap, the Crusaders are suddenly sat within touching distance of temporarily skyrocketing into the top-half of the table. Last seen putting in a famous performance at the San Siro as they infected AC Milan just a second Serie A defeat of the season, Parma are enjoying what has suddenly become a real purple patch. Including another 1-0 victory against Bologna on February 8th, Friday’s hosts have won all of their previous three consecutive Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 4-1. Likewise, the Crusaders have shipped just a single strike in almost 300 minutes of acton.
Parma Team News
Shown what was a costly booking after bagging a famous winner against AC Milan last week, Argentinian defender Mariano Troilo will serve a one-match suspension here. However, serving his own respective domestic ban last time out, Australian starlet Alessandro Circati will return to Parma’s squad.
Still sidelined with a long-term knee injury and not making his Serie A debut since arriving from Westerlo last summer, Croatian striker Matija Frigan remains on the sidelines. Completing a permanent switch from Argentinian outfit Velez Sarsfield last year, Mateo Pellegrino will spearhead Parma’s attack.
Cagliari
As for the visitors, while Cagliari might have signed off January in the midst of their own sensational three-match winning run, Fabio Pisacane’s side have struggled to find any real stability over the past few weeks. Getting February underway with consecutive 2-0 losses against Roma and Lecce, the Islanders are desperate to once again widen their buffer over the drop zone. However, despite snatching a 0-0 stalemate at home against Lazio last weekend, Friday’s guests are searching for a clinical edge in the final third. It should be highlighted, Cagliari’s camp have drawn three consecutive Serie A blanks for the first time this season. Nevertheless, despite travelling to Emilia-Romagna pencilled in as an underdog contender this weekend, Cagliari did land a 2-0 victory when they welcomed Parma to the Unipol Domus for their reverse showdown on September 13th.
Cagliari Team News
Limping off with a first-half knock against Lazio last time out, former Sassuolo midfielder Luca Mazzitelli looks set to miss out here. Likewise, shown a late red card at the Unipol Domus, ex-Everton defender Yerry Mina will serve a one-match suspension on Friday night.
Not featuring since the end of September, Italian international Andrea Belotti remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury. Completing a loan switch from Atalanta last month, Ghanian youngster Ibrahim Sulemana will start in the middle of the park.
Parma vs Cagliari Key Factors to Consider
- When Parma and Cagliari met for their reverse Serie A showdown on September 13th, Friday’s guests claimed a 2-0 victory at the Unipol Domus.
- In fact, Cagliari have won all of their previous five meetings against Parma across all competitions (four wins, one draw).
- Parma have won each of their previous three consecutive Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 4-1.
- The Crusaders have shipped just a single strike in almost 300 minutes of acton.
- Cagliari have drawn three consecutive Serie A blanks for the first time this season.
Conclusion
While Cagliari might have secured a 2-0 victory when they welcomed Parma to the Unipol Domus for their reverse Serie A showdown back on September 13th, the Islanders should be bracing themselves for a far more challenging examination here. Watching Parma springing a famous upset at the San Siro last weekend as they secured a remarkable 1-0 victory against AC Milan, Friday’s hosts have now won all of their previous three consecutive Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 4-1.
Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster