Bari’s goalless draw with Chievo in Verona on Wednesday has pushed Parma to the foot of the table in Serie A with just eight points from ten matches. Furthermore, Cesena’s surprising 1-0 win against Lazio implies that the Ducali are now three points behind the third-last placed side.
All this means that Parma are under immense pressure to muster a win against Sampdoria at home tonight. Last season the Gialloblu were one of the surprise packages of the campaign but they are suffering from ‘second season syndrome’ this term; having scored just six goals all season, they are also the division’s lowest scoring team.
Club president Tommaso Ghirardi has warned the players that they will need to show their true colours and start picking up points or else face the consequences.
"If the players don't show the performance that is of their level and of their salaries, they will be sold or replaced with someone else,'' said Ghirardi. "If things don't start changing, Parma will be very active in the winter transfer market.''
Sinking Into Mediocrity
Life without talisman Antonio Cassano has already begun but it has yet to take off for Sampdoria. The Genoa-based side have failed to score in their last two matches in all competitions and in neither of the games was Cassano present.
At the moment Domenico Di Carlo’s side are seventh in the league standings with 15 points from 10 matches but they can draw level on points with Roma with a win in Parma. However, Samp have won just once away from home in the league all season but encouragingly have not lost none.
Another positive for the Blucerchiati is that they have not conceded in their last three matches in all competitions and are unbeaten in their last four. Furthermore, Sampdoria have not lost in the league since mid-September, having gone seven games without losing.
TEAM NEWS
Parma
Giovinco, Galloppa and Paloschi are unavailable because of injuries. Parma are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation that will see Candreva, Bojinov and Marques as the front three.
Sampdoria
There are no injury concerns for Sampdoria for tonight’s match but Antonio Cassano remains out of the squad. The same old 4-4-2 system will be deployed with Pazzini and Pozzi as the two strikers upfront.
Prediction
On paper, Sampdoria should win the match with ease but Parma are desperate for points and they will make it extremely tough for the visitors to get anything. However, the Genoa-based club have yet to lose on the road in Serie A this season. The game should end in a draw.
Parma 1-1 Sampdoria 
