Parma vs Cagliari: Serie A Match Preview and Predictions

As the Serie A season approaches its second month, Parma and Cagliari are set to face off in a crucial match at Stadio Ennio Tardini on Monday evening. Both teams are in desperate need of points, having endured difficult starts to the campaign.

Team Performances and Recent Form

Parma, back in the top flight after promotion last season, have shown flashes of promise but have struggled to convert performances into points. Their most recent outing saw them salvage a dramatic 2-2 draw against US Lecce, with stoppage-time goals from Pontus Almqvist and Antoine Hainaut rescuing a point in a match that saw both sides reduced to 10 men. This late comeback highlighted the fighting spirit in Fabio Pecchias young squad but also underscored ongoing issues with discipline, as Parma received their third red card in as many matches.

Cagliari, meanwhile, find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table, still searching for their first league victory of the 2024-25 campaign. Manager Davide Nicola faces a significant challenge in turning around the Rossoblus fortunes. Their recent form makes for grim reading, with three consecutive league defeats and a failure to score in their last three Serie A outings. However, they did secure a narrow Coppa Italia victory over Cremonese midweek, courtesy of a Gianluca Lapadula strike.

Team News and Lineups

Parma will be without the suspended Matteo Cancellieri following his dismissal against Lecce, likely paving the way for Romanian wingers Dennis Man and Valentin Mihaila to support Yoan Bonny in attack. Midfielders Hernani and Simon Sohm are expected to shake off minor knocks, but Nahuel Estevez and Adrian Benedyczak remain sidelined. The hosts have also been dealt a blow with the news that Australian defender Alessandro Circati will miss the remainder of the season due to a serious knee injury.

Cagliari, having rotated for their cup tie, are expected to field a full-strength lineup. Only Mateusz Wieteska and Matteo Prati are doubtful, with the latter nursing an ankle problem. Strike duo Roberto Piccoli and Zito Luvumbo are likely to lead the line as the visitors search for their first league goal since the opening weekend.

Expected Starting Lineups

Parma: Suzuki; Del Prato, Balogh, Osorio, Coulibaly; Bernabe, Hernani; Man, Sohm, Mihaila; Bonny

Cagliari: Scuffet; Zappa, Mina, Luperto; Zortea, Gaetano, Marin, Deiola, Augello; Luvumbo, Piccoli

Match Predictions and Odds

The match presents a crucial opportunity for both sides to kickstart their seasons. Parma are favored to win, with a moneyline of +109, while Cagliaris moneyline stands at +247, and the draw is priced at +231. Predictions lean towards a Parma 2, Cagliari 0 or Parma 2, Cagliari 1 outcome, given Parmas home form and Cagliaris recent struggles.

Parma have been reliable in the Both Teams To Score (BTTS) market this season, and this trend is expected to continue. Given the historical data and current form, it is likely that both teams will get on the scoresheet.