The meeting between Venezia and Parma at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Saturday pits two teams from Serie A, both of whom are culpable for blowing leads. After being promoted back to Italy’s top league last season, both have contrived to drop a combined 23 points from winning positions. This shared problem leaves them fighting near the relegation zone, hence making it an extremely important tie for either club.
Match Preview:
That amazing 3-2 come-from-behind win over Udinese was followed up by a return to reality for Venezia of Eusebio Di Francesco last weekend at the hands of Serie A champions Inter Milan. The Lagunari were denied a stoppage-time equaliser by VAR courtesy of a handball call to maintain them at just two wins on the season and square in the relegation dogfight.
Despite the struggles, Venezia’s 10 goals in 11 league games represent their best scoring record at this stage of a Serie A season since 1962. They’re looking for back-to-back home wins for the first time in almost 25 years in Serie A. Parma’s visit may be the perfect opportunity to do so, as Gialloblu have never won a top-flight match in Venice.
At the helm of Fabio Pecchia, Parma blew an opportunity to create a cushion from the drop zone in the last round. A 1-0 home defeat against Genoa on Monday kept them just above the relegation zone. Parma has drawn the last four on the road, and a draw here will see them equal the Serie A record of five straight away draws. The urgency to take three points against a direct relegation rival means Pecchia won’t be taking any prisoners on Saturday.
Form Guide:
Venezia Serie A Form: LLLDWL
Parma Serie A Form: LDDDDL
Team News and Predicted Lineups:
Venezia are likely to welcome back Gianluca Busio, who should play in an attacking role with Gaetano Oristanio supporting their top scorer Joel Pohjanpalo. Pohjanpalo has been reliable at home, netting three this season at Stadio Penzo. The only injury concern for the home team is Bjarki Bjarkason, who remains out.
Parma have been further handicapped due to injury, as Hernani and Adrian Bernabe are absent, the latter for up to a month, along with Anas Haj Mohamed and Alessandro Circati. Upfront, Ange-Yoan Bonny will have Dennis Man, Parma’s best player of the season so far with five goal contributions.
Predicted Line-ups
Venezia: Stankovic; Candela, Idzes, Svoboda; Zampano, Duncan, Nicolussi Caviglia, Haps; Busio, Oristanio; Pohjanpalo
Parma: Suzuki; Coulibaly, Del Prato, Balogh, Valeri; Keita, Estevez; Man, Sohm, Mihaila; Bonny
Prediction: Venezia 2-2 Parma This has all the makings of a tight game. While Parma is more decent up front, the tendency to blow leads is bothersome as it puts them at risk. Meanwhile, Venezia is one of the few teams capable of holding onto a lead at home, so very likely to be a draw with both sides attempting to avoid further relegation trouble.
