Parma vs Cagliari Preview: Team News & Prediction
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These two sides finished 13th and 14th in Serie A last season as Parma and Cagliari face off against each other on the opening day of the campaign at the Ennio Tardini.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – Paramount+ & DAZN
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Paramount+ & DAZN
Parma preview: Steady Parma
Coached by Mikel Arteta's former assistant coach at Arsenal, Carlos Cuesta, Parma comfortably survived last season and there will be a view that they can kick on and push up towards the top-half of the Serie A table this season.
Parma have brought in some intriguing younger players in the summer transfer window, with the arrivals of Giovanni Daffara, Franco Carboni and Ousmane Diallo from Juventus, Internazionale and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.
Cagliari preview: Probable strugglers
They now face a Cagliari side that have taken the decision to stick with Fabio Pisacane. Cagliari started and ended last season in impressive fashion, drifting towards the bottom three and the relegation places through the mid-part of the season.
The Sardinians have opted more for experience in their recruitment over the summer, adding Jacopo Fazzini and Harry Winks to their squad. Cagliari are expected to be low-scoring once again this season, despite the more progressive style of football played by Pisacane at Unipol Demus.
Parma team news: Key issues
Sascha Britschgi begins this season suspended with key midfielder Hans Nicolussi Caviglia missing through injury. Nesta Elphege broke onto the scene last season but the young forward is now a doubt due to a thigh issue.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Daffara; Del Prato, Ndiaye, Valenti; Valeri, Adrian Bernabe, Keita, Carboni; Toure, Frigan, Almqvist
Unavailable: Britschgi (Suspended), Caviglia (Injured)
Questionable: Cremaschi (Injured), Elphege (Injured), Joujou (Injured)
Cagliari team news: Couple of doubts
Cagliari have a couple of doubts with injuries occurring in the week in the build up to the campaign, with Alessandro Deiola now potentially sidelined alongside Paul Mendy, who broke onto the scene at the back end of last season.
Predicted XI (3-5-1-1): Caprile; Ze Pedro, Yerry Mina, Juan Rodriguez; Zappa, Winks, Adopo, Prati, Idrissi; Fazzini; Kevin Carlos
Unavailable: Idrissi (Injured), Trepy (Injured), Esposito (Injured)
Questionable: Deiola (Injured), Mendy (Injured)
Parma vs Cagliari prediction
As could be predicted for a tactical disciple of Mikel Arteta, Carlos Cuesta's style of football at Parma has been functional and physical, focusing on the winning of duels and little on proactive moves in the final third. While effective, it has made them a fairly tough watch for the neutral and, despite the differing intent of the visitors, the attacking inefficiency of Cagliari is similar to that of Parma and a low-scoring contest seems likely on the opening day of the season.
Parma vs Cagliari tip: Under 2.5 goals
