Roma head to Parma for a round of 16 clash Coppa Italia match on Thursday night. The winner of the tie will head into the quarterfinals of the competition and increase their chances of lifting the Coppa Italia at the end of the season.
Parma and Roma have been nearly identical in terms of points totals this term in the league. While league form goes out the window in cup matches, these two teams have had differing form that could affect the game’s outcome.
Roma’s last trip to the Ennio Tardini Stadium ended in a 2-0 loss earlier this season in Serie A. The Giallorossi conceded both goals in the second half as Mattia Sprocati and Andreas Cornelius scored both goals for Parma.
The loss ended a two-match winning streak Roma had racked up against the Crociati. Roma go into the match on a two-match losing streak in the Serie A having lost to Torino and Juventus in back to back weeks.
They can certainly get back on track against Parma, who have collected four points from their last nine. Parma did win at the weekend, 2-0. That victory came against Lecce, however, a team in the bottom four of the Serie A table.
Although Roma have lost two straight games in the league, they do have an excellent away record in Serie A. They are unbeaten in their last three road games, which includes two wins.
Parma have been nearly as good at home collecting a draw and a win in their last two matches at the Tardini. The Crociati will hope they can pick up another upset win, but it will be difficult facing a Roma team that has scored Serie A’s fifth-most goals (34).
The Crociati have scored 15 goals while conceding 10 times at the Tardini. They will be difficult to beat due to thier excellent record at home.
Although Parma kept a clean sheet win the last time they played Roma, expect both teams to score goals this time around. Parma and Roma should also combine for over 2.5 goals as both teams aim to progress to the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia.
Roma striker Edin Dzeko has bagged 10 goals in all competitions this season. He is always a threat for Roma. One player that won’t feature for Roma is Nicolo Zaniolo, who suffered an ACL injury last weekend versus Juventus.
Dzeko could get on the scoresheet for Roma as they defeat Parma at the Ennio Tardini Stadium on Thursday night.