Cagliari will host Parma on Saturday evening at the Sardegna Arena in a massive six-pointer. The Islanders are 18th in Serie A and five points adrift of safety. Parma are seven points off of 17th-placed Torino and survival.
The season could come down to this weekend’s match in Sardinia for both clubs. Cagliari are on a four-game losing streak in Serie A and are coming off of a 1-0 loss to league leaders Inter Milan.
Parma are winless in three straight games. Last weekend they fell to AC Milan 3-1. The Crociati have not defeated Cagliari in Serie A since the 2018-19 season when they returned to the league after spending time in Serie C and Serie B.
Four games have occurred since that last victory over the Islanders. Cagliari have won two of their last four games against Parma while two finished in draws. The reverse fixture played earlier this season in Parma finished nil-nil.
Cagliari took just four points from their last 18 on offer in Serie A. They were outscored by opponents 10 to five during that time period. Parma did little better over the course of their last six games. They obtained four points from 18 available.
The Crociati were outscored 12 to 10 over the course of those six games. Coach Roberto D’Aversa blasted his players following their 3-1 loss to AC Milan last weekend. He will hope for a response this weekend, but based on recent performances, may not get it.
Coach Leonardo Semplici has four players on the Cagliari injury list going into the game. Matteo Tramoni could miss due to a knock. Goalie Alessio Cragno tested positive for COVID-19 and is likely to be unfit for the game.
Defender Luca Ceppitelli has a calf injury and is still a few days away from being fit to play. Forward Riccardo Sottil has a thigh injury but could make the squad for the match.
D’Aversa has a long list of suspensions and injuries going into the game. Up to 10 players could miss the fixture including Josh Zirkzee, Valentin Mihaila, Wylan Cyprien, J.F. Brunetta, Simon Sohm, Yann Karamoh, and Simone Iacoponi. Riccardo Gagliolo is suspended.
Parma’s extensive injuries and suspensions could be their downfall once more. The two sides should see a similar result to the reverse fixture played in Parma earlier this season.
The two relegation battlers should draw once more. However, this time, they should both get onto the scoresheet with over 2.5 goals tallied. Three of their last four games ended with both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals scored.