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This is probably the most intriguing game in Serie A this weekend as Parma, following promotion last season, look to reassert the quality they showed in the opening few games against a Cagliari side that look destined for a relegation battle.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Monday 30th September, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – OneFootball / US – Paramount+
PARMA PREVIEW: PARMA’S PARTY
Following promotion back to the top-flight last season playing in a fun and entertaining manner, Parma boss Fabio Pecchia reportedly turned down several higher paying jobs to remain as Parma manager. They started the season with some excellent performances but have won just one of their opening seven matches.
The home team come into this one on the back of a dramatic 2-2 draw against Lecce last weekend. Down in Apulia, they trailed by two goals to nil with both teams having men sent off in the second-half but goals from substitutes Pontus Almqvist and then Antoine Hainaut salvaged a point for Parma.
CAGLIARI PREVIEW: CHAOS IN CAGLIARI
On the island of Sardinia there are already fan protests and supporter unrest at the dismal performances and results of their Cagliari side. The visitors begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting rock-bottom with the pressure very much on Davide Nicola, known for his work at taking teams over when in trouble rather than putting them there in the first place.
Cagliari have collected two points from their opening five matches and those two points came in their opening couple of games. Their two-match losing run was extended to three last weekend when they faced Empoli and lost by two goals to nil. There was respite in midweek with a slender victory against Serie B side Cremonese in the Coppa Italia.
PARMA TEAM NEWS: CANCELLIERI SUSPENSION
Parma have had three red cards already this season and their latest receiver of a ban is forward Matteo Cancellieri who is missing through suspension following his red against Lecce.
As well as Cancellieri, Mateusz Kowalski remains unavailable with an ACL injury, whilst both Nahuel Estevez and Adrian Benedyczak are doubtful.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Del Prato, Yordan Osorio, Balogh, Coulibaly; Sohm, Adrian Bernabe; Man, Hernani, Mihaila; Bonny
UNAVAILABLE: Kowalski (Injured), Cancellieri (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Nahuel Estevez (Injured), Benedyczak (Injured)
CAGLIARI TEAM NEWS: COUPLE OF ISSUES
With Cagliari desperately searching for results and performances, Davide Nicola may well be tempted to make wholesale changes in the hope of inspiring a turnaround.
They do have a couple of issues for this one against Parma, too, as Mateusz Wieteska and Matteo Prati are both unavailable due to respective thigh injuries.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Scuffet; Zappa, Yerry Mina, Luperto; Zortea, Makoumbou, Marin, Deiola, Augello; Luvumbo, Piccoli
UNAVAILABLE: Prati (Injured), Wieteska (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
PARMA VS CAGLIARI PREDICTION
There is a bit of recent history and rivalry between the two sides after Cagliari defeated Parma over two legs in the Serie B playoffs a couple of seasons ago when Parma had done the double over the Sardinians and also finished higher in the table. They are probably still quite evenly matched but the fact is that Parma are better than the five points they have so far, whilst Cagliari’s position of rock-bottom is a fair one so a Parma win, especially with home advantage, seems a good bet.
PARMA VS CAGLIARI TIP: PARMA TO WIN