Sampdoria v Parma – Preview: Gialloblu bid Serie A farewell

Date: 29th May 2015 at 8:30am
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Sampdoria will aim to secure their place in next season’s Europa League when they host Parma at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Saturday evening, 20.45 CET.

As a result of their city rivals Genoa failing to secure a UEFA license – pending an appeal – seventh place in Serie A will take the final European berth on offer. Sinisa Milhajlovic’s side go into the final round of league fixtures with destiny firmly in their hands.

Sampdoria are three points clear of Inter, meaning avoiding defeat against already relegated Parma will stamp their passports for a continental adventure. However, the Blucerchiati and Nerazzurri’s head to head saw each side win 1-0 at home, so that if they finish on the same number of points Inter would leapfrog them due to their superior goal difference.

Sampdoria are not in great shape, having won only once in their last nine league outings and lost in their last two matches at home. Those reverses though came at the hands of champions Juventus and Lazio; the visit of bottom club Parma should hold fewer fears.

The Gialloblu have just one away win to their name this season as they prepare for their last top-flight match for what could a long time. There are still major concerns of the clubs future if the search for someone to save the club remains fruitless. The players have fought on courageously but are without a win in five.

Parma though do have the upperhand in the head-to-head between the clubs, winning 13 of 31 meetings, although Sampdoria notched up their tenth with a 2-0 win at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in January.

Roberto Donadoni’s men threw away a two-goal lead at home to Verona last weekend, which might explain why the former Italian coach might bench Parma captain Alessandro Lucarelli with Pedro Mendes expected to step in.

Doria meanwhile are without nine goal top scorer Eder, who was ruled out for the season at the end of April after suffering a knee injury against Napoli.

Montenegrin youngster Luka Dordevic was given a first start away at Empoli but Samuel Eto’o is likely to return to the starting 11 after the Cameroonian grabbed a 91st minute equaliser in Tuscany.

Form Guide : Sampdoria (D-L-W-L-D-L), Parma (D-L-D-L-L-W)

Expected Startings XIs

Sampdoria: Viviano; De Silvestri, Silvestre, Romagnoli, Regini; Acquah, Palombo, Obiang; Soriano; Eto’o, Muriel

Parma: Mirante; Cassani, Mendes, Feddal, Gobbi; Varela, J. Mauri, Jorquera, Nocerino, Ghezzal; Palladino

 

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