Potentially going down to the wire, this season’s Serie A title race now reaches its penultimate matchday, with leaders Napoli visiting relegation-threatened Parma on Sunday evening.
The Partenopei are seeking a second Scudetto in three seasons, but last week’s slip-up left them just one point ahead of reigning champions Inter Milan; meanwhile, a win would make sure of safety for the hosts at Stadio Tardini.
Match preview
Intent on taking one step closer to the title, Napoli welcomed mid-table Genoa to Stadio Maradona last weekend, when they played just after sole rivals Inter had drawn level on points by beating Torino.
Previously, the Partenopei had posted four straight wins – all with clean sheets – as they drove towards the finish line, but despite front pair Romelu Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori putting them ahead twice, they uncharacteristically conceded a late goal and had to settle for a draw.
Head coach Antonio Conte – now trying to lead a third different club to the Scudetto, after Inter and Juventus – was left ashen-faced at the final whistle, but his team still lead the race by one point.
Linked with a summer switch to either Juve or AC Milan, it may only be a one-year stay in Naples for the former Italy manager, and taking maximum points in Parma and at home to Cagliari will ensure it ends in success.
Despite suffering a setback, Napoli are still masters of their own destiny, as even if they draw once and their Milanese rivals are flawless straight through to the finish, a playoff for top spot would then take place.
After winning their last two away games while keeping a clean sheet, they now head for Emilia-Romagna, knowing victory and an Inter loss against in-form Como would definitively seal first place.
Of course, Napoli will take nothing for granted this weekend, as they have an incredibly tight recent head-to-head record at the Tardini.
Across these clubs’ last 14 top-flight meetings in Parma, there have been six wins apiece, with 21 goals for the hosts and 20 for the visitors.
Furthermore, the Gialloblu are still scrapping for survival after last week’s 2-1 loss to ailing Empoli, when a first-half red card for Lautaro Valenti proved costly.
Just when the finishing line was in sight, Parma have lost back-to-back matches, having been beaten just once in their first nine under Cristian Chivu.
Nonetheless, four points clear of the relegation zone with two rounds remaining, last term’s Serie B champions are still on track to avoid a swift return to Italy’s second tier.
Often impressive on their own patch, Parma have conquered Lazio, Bologna and Juventus at home this season, also fighting back to draw 2-2 with Inter – and another upset on Sunday could confirm their Serie A status.
Team News
Having risked a half-fit Stanislav Lobotka last week, soon after doing similar with key defender Alessandro Buongiorno, Antonio Conte will be without both for Napoli’s trip to Parma.
Juan Jesus is not available either, so Mathias Olivera should again fill in at centre-back; Billy Gilmour is set to replace Lobotka in midfield.
The Scotland international will join compatriot Scott McTominay, who is the first midfielder for 14 years to record at least 15 goal involvements in his first Serie A season.
Up front, Romelu Lukaku – who scored one of two late goals as Napoli dramatically beat Parma 2-1 on his club debut in August – should be supported by Giacomo Raspadori. The latter has returned to favour following a formation switch brought about by injuries, finding the net in both of his last two appearances.
Meanwhile, the hosts have recently paired Ange-Yoan Bonny and Mateo Pellegrino in attack, though veteran striker Milan Djuric aided his claims for a start by scoring against Empoli last time out.
Alessandro Vogliacco, Valentin Mihaila, Yordan Osorio and Gabriel Charpentier lead a long list of unavailable Parma players, while Lautaro Valenti must serve a suspension.
Midfielders Nahuel Estevez and Adrian Bernabe are still hoping to recover from muscular problems, but they would make the bench at best.
Parma possible starting lineup:
Suzuki; Del Prato, Leoni, Balogh; Hainaut, Hernani, Keita, Sohm, Valeri; Pellegrino, Bonny
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Olivera, Spinazzola; Politano, Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay; Raspadori, Lukaku
We say: Parma 0-1 Napoli
Both Napoli and Parma have drawn seven games in the second half of this season – only three clubs have drawn more – yet there has only been one Serie A stalemate between them in their last 18 meetings.
It may not be pretty, but the title-chasing Partenopei should be able to frustrate their hosts, scoring a vital goal and then hanging on for three precious points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
