Split by just one point, either side of the Serie A drop zone, relegation rivals Cagliari and Parma will meet for a crucial clash on Sunday.
Both have lost their last two matches, leaving them mired in danger at the wrong end of Italy's top flight.
Match preview
© Imago
After starting 2025 with a promising three-game unbeaten streak - defeating direct rivals Lecce and Monza along the way - Cagliari have since lost their last two, conceding twice on each occasion.
On Monday evening, the Sardinian side briefly threatened to upset high-flying Lazio, as Roberto Piccoli scored an equaliser early in the second half.
In doing so, the striker took his career tally to 19 Serie A goals - all of which have come against different clubs, representing a record across Europe's top five leagues - but the Biancocelesti soon struck back.
A 2-1 defeat means that Cagliari have only kept two clean sheets kept so far, and such a dismal defensive record could ultimately cost them their top-tier status.
The Rossoblu have now lost six of their last 10 home matches, and coach Davide Nicola will be acutely aware that another reverse on Sunday would drop his team into the bottom three.
Having won four of their last five Serie A games against Parma in Sardinia - as many as throughout the previous 11 - at least history will be on their side this weekend.
© Imago
In fact, following a 3-2 home defeat in September's reverse fixture, Parma have won none of their last six top-flight meetings with Cagliari.
Losing on this occasion could see the Emilian outfit fall as many as four points adrift of safety, depending on other results around the Italian peninsula.
Since November, Fabio Pecchia's side have lost eight of their 13 league fixtures, and only rock-bottom Monza have suffered more Serie A defeats during that period.
Last week's 3-1 home loss to Lecce also continued a worrying trend for last term's second-tier champions, as Parma have conceded the most goals of any team during the second half of matches.
Furthermore, the Gialloblu have picked up just a single point from their last five road trips: after going unbeaten for five consecutive away games, they have since lost four of the next quintet.
Team News
© Imago
Cagliari coach Davide Nicola could have a full squad to choose from this weekend, as Zito Luvumbo has returned to full training after several weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
The Angolan attacker may be named on the bench, while top scorer Roberto Piccoli continues to lead the Rossoblu's front line.
Once again, Nicola's main selection dilemma will come in central midfield, where Razvan Marin vies with Alessandro Deiola, Michel Adopo and Antoine Makoumbou for a place in the engine room.
By contrast with their hosts, Parma - who brought in several fresh faces during the winter transfer window - have a substantial absence list to deal with.
Defensive duo Yordan Osorio and Alessandro Circati join Mateusz Kowalski and Gabriel Charpentier on the sidelines, Hernani is still struggling with a muscular problem, while Romanian wingers Dennis Man and Valentin Mihaila are both major doubts.
In better news for Fabio Pecchia, captain Enrico Del Prato returns after serving a suspension and should slot straight in at right-back.
Cagliari possible starting lineup:
Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Augello; Makoumbou, Adopo; Zortea, Viola, Felici; Piccoli
Parma possible starting lineup:
Suzuki; Del Prato, Valenti, Vogliacco, Valeri; Keita, Sohm; Cancellieri, Haj, Almqvist; Djuric
We say: Cagliari 3-2 Parma
Neither side specialise in defending, so fans could be treated to another five-goal thriller, mirroring September's meeting in Parma.
Cagliari can edge it, as their visitors have shown a certain mental frailty and often throw precious points away.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
