Parma will host Sampdoria at the Stadio Tardini on Sunday with the away side looking to solidify European football for next season, while Parma are in a battle for their Serie A lives and hoping to close the chapter on what was ultimately a soul-crushing 2014 for the Crociati.
Currently cemented at the bottom of the table, Parma’s task appears Herculean with only three wins in their last 18 Serie A matches, however there are positive signs for Roberto Donadoni’s men who have sandwiched wins over Fiorentina and a ticket to the Coppa Italia quarter finals at Cagliari’s expense, in between a disappointing loss to Hellas Verona.
For a squad that hadn’t won since beginning of November, the little run is a welcome relief and may signal a return to the side which only missed out on Europa League play due to a series of tardy tax payments.
The Blucerchiati lie in fifth position, a mere point away from third place Lazio and tied with Napoli, while a host of other contenders all remain within striking distance vying for the final Champions League spot. Sampdoria bounced back last week from a 3-0 trashing at Lazio after the winter break to dispatch Empoli 1-0, a scoreline which flattered the Azzurri.
Parma have proved a historically difficult opponent for the Blucerchiati, particularly at home, as the Gialloblu have won four on the trot at the Tardini and hold a slight advantage during their last six overall meetings.
A leaky defense has seen Parma surrender a league-worst 38 goals but the return of Gabriel Paletta in December has steadied the backline as they posted two of Parma’s three clean sheets this season with the Italian international in the middle of Donadoni’s three-man defense.
Despite the persistent rumors concerning Sampdoria bringing in attacking help in the form of Luis Muriel or a potential deal with Samuel Eto’o, coach Sinisa Mihajlovic continues to struggle in search of options to pair alongside Stefano Okaka and Eder.
The duo have formed an effective partnership but with Manolo Gabbiadini taking his team-leading seven goals with him to Napoli, Mihajlovic needs another option to stretch the defense beside Gonzalo Bergessio who hasn’t scored in 13 Serie A appearances.
Sampdoria will benefit by having the full compliment players on hand with only Djamal Mesbah missing while at the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, Parma are crippled by a lack of attacking options with the absences of Afriyie Acquah and Ishak Belfodil on international duty and lack depth with the continued injuries to Massimo Coda, Abdelkader Ghezzal and the long-term heart ailment of Jonathan Biabiany.
History suggests Sunday should be a tight affair as only two of the last 18 matches between the clubs have been decided by more than a single goal.
Form Guide: Parma (L-W-L-D-L-L) Sampdoria (W-L-D-D-W-D)
Expected Starting XIs
Parma: Mirante; Costa, Paletta, Lucarelli; Cassani, Mauri, Lodi, Galloppa, Gobbi; Cassano, Palladino
Sampdoria: Viviano; De Silvestri, Gastaldello, Silvestre, Regini; Rizzo, Palombo, Obiang; Soriano; Okaka, Eder
