Parma vs Napoli Prediction - Will The Crociati Return to Good Results This Weekend?

Next Sunday, Parma will entertain Napoli at the mythical Stadio Ennio Tardini for round 32 of the Italian Serie A. The home side are currently not enjoying a particularly good moment, having suffered three consecutive defeats on their last four matches. After being defeated by Juventus back in November, Parma embarked on a fantastic seventeen matches streak without a single defeat that catapulted the team into the sixth place of the table.

Former Italian international footballer Roberto Donadoni assumed the helm of the team in 2012 and he has slowly been building up a solid and effective side that is certainly one of the most pleasant surprises of Serie A this term.

Last Wednesday, Parma measured forces with Roma at Stadio Olimpico but the Emilia-Romagna side was not able to disrupt the Lupi’s excellent moment and ended up by being defeat 4-2. In fact, Parma has been defeated twice in a week at the Italian capital city, since last Sunday they have sucumbed to Lazio 3-2 on the very same stadium.

For next Sunday’s match, Donadoni will not be able include the Uruguayan midfielder Walter Gargano and Gabriel Paletta on his team, both sidelined due to injury. Antonio Cassano, who missed the team’s last match against Roma, is also still in doubt for next Sunday’s clash because of an ankle injury.

As for Napoli, after being thrown out from the UEFA Europa League by FC Porto, the team is now focused on Serie A and on the Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina. Rafael Benítez’ side are extra motivated after the 2-0 win against the league leaders ,Juventus, a game during which Napoli displayed a very interesting performance and imposed the second defeat of the Vecchia Signora so far this season.

For next Sunday’s match, Rafa Benítez will probably not be able to count on the flamboyant Belgian football Dries Mertens, who missed the team’s last match due to an ankle injury; however, he is certainly happy with the fact that Christian Maggio will be able to return to the training sessions this week.

When both teams met back in November, Parma stunned Napoli at San Paolo and grabbed an excellent 1-0 win with a goal from Antonio Cassano.

Parma

W-12 L-8 D-11

Recent Form - WDLLL

Napoli

W-19 L-5 D-7

Recent Form - WWLWW

Possible Line-ups

Parma (4-4-2) - Mirante - Cassani - Lucarelli - Molinaro - Gobbi - Schelotto - Mauri - Marchioni - Acquah - Biabiany - Amauri

Napoli (4-2-3-1) - Reina - Reveillere - Albiol - Henrique - Britos - Dzemaili - Inler - Hamsik - Insigne - Callejón - Higuain

Prediction: Parma 1 Napoli 1