High-flying Parma will be hoping to extend the impressive run of results when they host Genoa, with the hosts brimming with confidence following the 4-2 triumph over AC Milan at San Siro. The Rossoblu have now lost two successive league matches and they aim to end the poor run at Ennio Tardini.

Magnificent Parma

For several years now Parma have been showing steady improvement and proving they can mix it up even with the best sides in the league, but the team have been unable to make that final step and join the race for European positions. I Ducali finally realised their full potential this season and following some scintillating performances they find themselves just outside the Europa League positions, trailing fifth-placed Inter by a single point. What is even more impressive is that Roberto Donadoni’s charges are unbeaten in last 16 Serie A fixtures and are currently on a three-match winning run. And while back to back triumphs over Sassuolo and Hellas Verona were somewhat expected, Parma impressed to also beat AC Milan on the road, thus showing they are still completely focused on task at hand and not getting complacent. The team showed a lot of character to restore the lead and win the game 4-2 after the Rossoneri came from two goals behind to level the score midway through the second half. And with struggling Genoa next, Parma look set to continue their amazing run of results.

Roberto Donadoni will have key defender Gabriel Paletta back from suspension, but Marco Marchionni is banned and Walter Gargano is doubtful.

Promising performance against Juventus

Having narrowly escaped the drop last season, Genoa had a poor start to the new league campaign, but club chiefs quickly admitted their mistake and replaced inexperienced Fabio Liverani with former coach Gian Piero Gasperini. It was the managerial change that allowed the Rossoblu to realise their full potential and survival already looks secured with the team sitting 12 points clear of the relegation zone with just 10 games to go. Genoa have been showing a lot of promise of late, although back to back defeats to Chievo and Juventus could serve as a blow to the players’ confidence. In all fairness, the Rossoblu produced a very good showing against the Serie A leaders, but had to settle for a narrow defeat after missing a penalty and conceding a very late goal. Such a disappointing loss could have a negative effect on the team, and Genoa will definitely need all the help they can get when facing red-hot Parma. The Rossoblu have improved their away record of late, but I still doubt they have what it takes to match very good Ducali, especially with some key men missing.

Stefano Sturaro misses out through suspension, whereas Juraj Kucka, Sime Vrsaljko, Luca Antonelli, Alessandro Gamberini and Antonio Donnarumma are out injured.

Verdict

Genoa have produced some decent showings of late, but with quite a few first team regulars unavailable, they are unlikely to stop high-flying Parma in their tracks. I Ducali are playing their best football in years and this match should get them even closer to the Europa League qualification.

Top pick: Home win    1.65 (13/20) @ 888sport

Alternative pick 1: Parma to score two or more    1.80 (4/5) @ Unibet

Alternative pick 2: Over 2.5 goals    2.05 (21/20) @ Betfair