Parma vs Cagliari Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Many would have expected this one to be a bit of a six-pointer at this stage of the season but both Parma and Cagliari are looking well assured of their top-flight status.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – DAZN / US – Paramount+ & DAZN
How to watch online: UK – DAZN / US – Paramount+ & DAZN
Parma preview: In-form Parma
Coached by Mikel Arteta’s former assistant at Arsenal, Carlos Cuesta, Parma started the season steadily but unremarkably. However, they have majorly improved of late with three successive victories ahead of this weekend.
After victories against Bologna and then Hellas Verona, Parma managed to defeat AC Milan by a goal to nil a shock defeat of the Rossoneri at San Siro last weekend, courtesy of an 80th minute winner scored by centre-back Mariano Troilo.
Cagliari preview: Mid-table Cagliari
Cagliari had themselves been in reasonable form as they push themselves into the middle-of-the-table as spring approaches, after what has been an impressive appointment of rookie boss Fabio Pisacane last summer.
The Sardinians come into this one on the back of a fairly dull goalless draw with Lazio at the Unipol Demus last weekend after back-to-back 2-0 defeats against Roma and Lecce.
Parma team news: Almqvist out
Parma have a fresh injury concern for this one as versatile attacker Pontus Almqvist is now sidelined alongside longer term absentees Zion Suzuki and Matija Frigan.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Corvi; Del Prato, Troilo, Valenti; Britschgi, Adrian Bernabe, Keita, Ordonez, Valeri; Strefezza, Mateo Pellegrino
Unavailable: Suzuki (Injured), Frigan (Injured), Almqvist (Injured)
Questionable: Ndiaye (Injured)
Cagliari team news: Yerry Mina suspended
Cagliari are without former Everton centre-back Yerry Mina, as he is missing through suspension, and they also have plenty injury issues ahead of their trip to the mainland.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Caprile; Ze Pedro, Zappa, Dossena; Palestra, Sulemana, Adopo, Liteta, Obert; Kilicsoy, Esposito
Unavailable: Yerry Mina (Suspended), Mazzitelli (Injured), Gaetano (Injured), Felici (Injured), Borrelli (Injured), Belotti (Injured)
Questionable: Deiola (Injured), Folorunsho (Injured)
Parma vs Cagliari prediction
What has been a theme of the Parma season, and perhaps to be expected with a disciple of Mikel Arteta, Parma have been very dual-focused and of a safety first mindset perhaps shown by the fact they have only scored 19 goals this season. Only Lecce have scored fewer than them and, even in good form, they drag teams into low-scoring clashes – something that Cagliari are no stranger to themselves and so a fairly tedious watch for the neutral may well be the case at the Ennio Tardini.
Parma vs Cagliari tip: Under 2.5 goals