Parma vs Napoli
Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma
Wednesday, 22-07-2020 @8:30pm
Parma are in free-fall at the moment with one point from seven games and should find it tough against Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli too.
We could see an intriguing tactical experiment here, because Arkadiusz Milik and Fernando Llorente are injured, with Dries Mertens nursing a knock, so Hirving Lozano could be revitalised as a False 9 in the Mertens mould. He has struggled with a wide role, so this could be just the move the Mexico international needs.
Meanwhile, Parma have more than their own issues to deal with, as Andreas Cornelius, Matteo Scozzarella and now also Riccardo Gagliolo are on the treatment table. It means Roberto Inglese or Gianluca Caprari will lead the way, with Dejan Kulusevski and Gervinho in support.
Parma have found the net in their last nine Serie A games, but haven’t reached 10 since April 2014.
Lecce vs Brescia
Stadio Comunale Via del Mare, Lecce
Wednesday, 22-07-2020 @10:45pm
Lecce suffered a potentially damning defeat to Genoa, but there is still some hope thanks to the Grifone facing a much tougher run-in, although they have to beat Brescia first.
The Salentini have played some good football this season, but the lack of finesse upfront has cost them dearly, failing to make the most of the scoring opportunities.
Gianluca Lapadula seems fit to start, which is just as well because Khouma Babacar and Diego Farias are major doubts. Marco Mancosu has gone from being a guarantee from the spot to ballooning his last two penalties over the bar, so evidently the pressure is getting to him.
Brescia beat SPAL at the weekend to doom their opponents in the battle to avoid finishing last, but realistically, they’re going down too and that could be mathematically sealed at the Stadio Via del Mare.
Brescia have picked up just one point away from home in 2020, fewer than any other club.
Inter Milan vs Fiorentina
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan
Wednesday, 22-07-2020 @10:45pm
Inter’s Scudetto hopes have practically vanished by now and they have to defend second place, but Federico Chiesa’s Fiorentina are finding their feet.
The Nerazzurri’s 2-2 draw away to Roma, earned only thanks to a Leonardo Spinazzola howler in the final minutes, opened up an eight-point gap from leaders Juventus. If Inter don’t win, then Juve could mathematically seal the title by beating Udinese on Thursday.
Nonetheless, there’s plenty to play for, as second place is financially very different to third or even fourth and it remains very tight up there. Matias Vecino is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, but Romelu Lukaku is fit again and back in the starting XI, so expect Lautaro Martinez to be rested this time.
Antonio Conte is again leaning towards dropping Christian Eriksen, in favour of Borja Valero more than the Marcelo Brozovic experiment, showing just how far the Dane is down the pecking order.
Fiorentina have secured their Serie A safety after a scary few weeks, unbeaten in five and finding some form, so coach Beppe Iachini can bow out with his head held high.
Chiesa has repeatedly been linked with an Inter move and should start with Franck Ribery, Patrick Cutrone and Nerazzurri-owned Dalbert. Goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski is still not at 100 per cent, so it remains to be seen if he’ll be risked.
Inter have fumbled 22 points from leading situations in Serie A this season, a club all-time record with three points for a win.
Sampdoria vs Genoa
Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
Wednesday, 22-07-2020 @10:45pm
It’s the Derby della Lanterna, always a fiery occasion at the best of times, but Sampdoria are on form and eager to push Genoa towards Serie B.
Samp were bottom of the table when Claudio Ranieri took over from Eusebio Di Francesco and in deep trouble even before the lockdown, but have kicked into gear quite spectacularly with five wins out of their last six, culminating in a fightback from 2-0 down to beat Parma 3-2 at the weekend.
Much of that is down to the form of striker Federico Bonazzoli, who has scored five times in his last five games and combines brilliantly with Fabio Quagliarella or Manolo Gabbiadini.
Genoa earned a massive victory over Lecce to break four points clear of the drop zone and give them a potentially crucial advantage in the head-to-head record with the Salentini. However, they are not out of the woods yet, because the last three fixtures are against Inter, Sassuolo and Hellas Verona.
That means a defeat here could set up a nail-biting finale and that’s precisely what Sampdoria fans want, as they’ll enjoy nothing more than potentially sending their rivals towards relegation.
Samp are unbeaten in the last seven editions of the Derby della Lanterna, with five wins and two draws, their longest positive streak since 1994.
Torino vs Hellas Verona
Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, Torino
Wednesday, 22-07-2020 @10:45pm
Torino seem to have done enough to save themselves and can play without pressure against impressive Hellas Verona.
The Granata were beaten by Fiorentina, but still sit eight points clear of the relegation zone with four rounds to play.
It’s enough to take away some of the tension that has been weighing the team down from pre-season, when they were in the Europa League play-offs.
Verona had for a while looked like contenders for the top seven, which in itself is extraordinary for a side newly-promoted from Serie B. Coach Ivan Juric has not yet decided if he’ll stay at Hellas next term, linked with Fiorentina and also Torino. They’ve lost momentum lately, without a win in five, but held Atalanta, Fiorentina and Inter to draws during that period.
Verona have lost only one of their last nine Serie A trips to Torino, with two wins and six draws.
SPAL vs AS Roma
Stadio Paolo Mazza, Ferrara
Wednesday, 22-07-2020 @10:45pm
SPAL are already relegated and practically certain to finish rock bottom, but Roma have Napoli and Milan breathing down their necks for fifth place.
The Giallorossi have really turned a corner since moving to three at the back, providing much more balance to their midfield. They are unbeaten in four, a run of three straight wins then halted by the 2-2 draw with Inter, the equaliser gifted by a Leonardo Spinazzola howler.
As for SPAL, the season cannot end soon enough. Gigi Di Biagio will be lucky to see out the campaign after failing to improve results or performances since replacing Leonardo Semplici, as if anything they’ve deteriorated. A 2-1 defeat to Brescia mathematically sealed relegation and pretty much guaranteed they’ll finish in last place.
Edin Dzeko is just one goal off equalling Abel Balbo’s tally of 78 Serie A goals for Roma and two off Rodolfo Volk in fifth place of the all-time club charts.
Serie A upcoming fixtures
Thursday, 23-07-2020
-Udinese vs Juventus @8:30pm
-Lazio vs Cagliari @10:45pm
Serie A recent results
Monday, 20-07-2020
-Juventus 2-1 Lazio
Tuesday, 21-07-2020
-Atalanta 1-0 Bologna
-Sassuolo 1-2 AC Milan
