Parma are not yet safe but had improved in the spring as they now take on title challenging Napoli
Parma are not yet safe but had improved in the spring as they now take on title challenging Napoli, who head into the penultimate match day sitting at the top-of-the-table.
Parma preview: Chivu’s Parma
Former Internazionale and Romania international defender Cristian Chivu returned to Parma a couple of months ago to replace Fabio Pecchia. They gained promotion to the top-flight last season and begin the final couple of weeks sitting four points clear of the danger zone.
The Emilio-Romagna-based outfit have, though, suffered back-to-back defeats ahead of this one. They lost 1-0 to Cesc Fabregas’ Como at the Ennio Tardini a couple of weeks ago before a 2-1 loss to fellow relegation battlers Empoli in Florence last weekend.
Napoli preview: Conte’s Napoli
Antonio Conte is searching to win the Scudetto with a third club as Napoli chase their fourth Serie A title, and the second in the last three seasons, with the Neapolitans grinding out victories but coming into this one on the back of a stumble in Naples last weekend.
Up against Patrick Vieira’s Genoa at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona last weeened, the Partenopei took the lead twice via Romelu Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori but Genoa equalised twice with an Alex Meret own goal and via defender Johan Vasquez.
Parma team news: Valenti suspended
Parma will be without key defender Lautaro Valenti for this one after he was sent off against Empoli last weekend. They also have several injuries with their confirmed absentees including attacking duo Gaetan Charpentier and Mateusz Kowalski.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Suzuki; Del Prato, Leoni, Balogh; Hainaut, Sohm, Keita, Ondrejka, Valeri; Mateo Pellegrino, Bonny.
Napoli team news: Still no Lobotka
Slovakia international defensive midfielder Stanislav Lobotka remains sidelined for Napoli this weekend as he is dealing with an ankle injury. The visitors also have key doubts in defence, too, such as Alessandro Buongiorno and Juan Jesus.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Mathias Olivera; Politano, Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay, Spinazzola; Lukaku, Raspadori.