MX23RW : Tuesday, November 12 19:10:56| >> :120:25412:25412:
[monks data]
Parma logo
Serie A
Apr 11, 2015 at 5pm UK
 
Juventus logo

1-0

Mauri (60')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Parma vs. Juventus

Sports Mole looks ahead to this weekend's Serie A clash between league leaders Juventus and struggling Parma.

Top meets bottom in Serie A this weekend, as runaway leaders Juventus make the trip to crisis-hit Parma.

A fourth successive Scudetto is almost in the hands of the Bianconeri and a victory would see them open up a commanding 17-point lead over Roma in the table.



Parma

Parma's coach Roberto Donadoni looks on during the Serie A football match Parma vs Juventus at 'Tardini Stadium' in Parma on November 2, 2013© Getty Images

Parma fans must be wondering what has happened to their club in the past year, as their very existence beyond this season is in doubt.

The Gialloblu had enjoyed a great season and finished sixth in Serie A, but due to an unpaid tax bill they were banned from competing in the Europa League.

Following a summer of upheaval their form deteriorated and they lost eight of their opening nine league games, although the huge scale of their problems had yet to emerge.

There had already been reports that a number of players had not been paid, which led to high-profile stars like Antonio Cassano leaving, before they were eventfully declared bankrupt by a court in Italy three weeks ago.

They have been allocated €5m (£3.6m) by the Italian league to complete the season and it appears that it will be their last in the top flight for the foreseeable future.

Despite their problems, they have managed to hold Roma and Inter Milan to draws away from home, while they picked up their first win in 11 games by beating Udinese on Wednesday.

Recent form: DDLLDW



Juventus

AC Milan's coach Massimiliano Allegri looks on during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Atalanta at San Siro Stadium in Milan on January 6, 2014© Getty Images

There just seems to be no stopping Juventus at the moment and they are absolutely flying as the season enters its final stretch.

They are 14 points clear at the top of Serie A and only an unthinkable collapse would prevent them from winning the title for a fourth consecutive season.

It is not just in the league where they are enjoying success this campaign, as they booked their place in the Coppa Italia final on Tuesday evening, by coming back from a first-leg defeat to earn a thumping 3-0 victory over Fiorentina.

They could very well be on for a treble, as Monaco await them in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with the first leg of that clash set to take place in Turin week.

As you would expect, their recent form has been nothing short of sensational, with six wins from their last six matches. They haven't even conceded in any of those games and against Parma that run seems likely to continue due to the lack of goals scored this season by their opponents.

Recent form in Serie A: WDWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWW



Team News

Juventus' Spanish forward Fernando Llorente celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Tim cup football match Juventus Vs Fiorentina on March 5, 2015© Getty Images

Juventus are expected to rest a number of key players ahead of their European clash with Monaco, so the likes of Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo will probably not be risked.

Stephan Lichtsteiner may also sit the game out after missing their Coppa Italia victory with a bruise to his right thigh, while Paul Pogba remains on the sidelines.

Due to Tevez's absence, Alessandro Matri could keep his place up front, while Fernando Llorente will also be battling for a starting spot.

Meanwhile, Parma will be without the suspended Alessandro Lucarelli, while Ishak Belfodil could replace Massimo Coda in the attack.

Parma possible starting lineup:
Mirante, Cassani, Santacroce, Costa, Feddal, Jankovic, Lodi, Nocerino, Ghezzal, Varela, Belfodil

Juventus possible starting lineup:
Buffon, Padoin, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra, Vidal, Marchisio, Pereyra, Sturaro, Matri, Lorente



Head To Head

In the reverse fixture, Juventus eased their way to the biggest win in Serie A this season by recording a crushing 7-0 victory over Parma.

It was much tighter when they met in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia in January, as a late goal from Alvaro Morata ensured a 1-0 win for the Bianconeri.

Juve are actually unbeaten in their last eight games against Parma, with six of those ending in wins, and rather unsurprisingly this is a fixture that they have tended to dominate over the years.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Parma 0-2 Juventus

It's hard to see anything other than a Juventus victory, as Massimo Allegri's side are in irresistible form. Even without some of their key players, they should have far too much quality for Parma, which is why we are tipping the Bianconeri to comfortably seal the points.



ID:216148: cacheID:216148:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9586:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Juventus' midfielder Andrea Pirlo celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final football match Juventus vs Olympique Lyonnais, on April 10, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Fiorentina vs. Juventus
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Napoli128221991026
2Inter Milan1274126141225
3Fiorentina1274125101525
4Lazio1281325141125
5Atalanta BCAtalanta1281331151625
6Juventus126602171424
7AC Milan115332014618
8Bologna114611513218
9Udinese125161518-316
10Empoli12363910-115
11Torino124261518-314
12Roma123451417-313
13Parma122641618-212
14Hellas VeronaHellas Verona124081727-1012
15Como122461323-1010
16CagliariCagliari122461222-1010
17Genoa12246922-1310
18Lecce12237521-169
19Monza121561015-58
20VeneziaVenezia122281121-108


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!