Preview: Palermo - Parma

By: Steven | October 31st, 2007

Wednesday October 31, 2007
Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo

Squad Status

Palermo

Mark Bresciano won’t be battling his former team, as he’s still suffering from the injury he picked up against Inter on the last matchday. Miccoli will probably start in Baldy’s place, while Aimo Diana (another ex-Parma player) will most likely lose his place to Bosko ‘Serbian Stallion’ Jankovic. Ciro Capuano will probably be replaced by Marco Pisano. Yeeey!

Probable Line-up
Fontana; Zaccardo, Biava, Barzagli, Pisano; Jankovic, Simplicio, Guana, Caserta; Miccoli, Amauri

Parma

Two former Palermitani will not be there: Francesco Parravicini is suspended, while Davide Matteini will lose his place in the starting eleven to Daniele Dessena. More problems for Mimmo Di Carlo: Reginaldo is suspended, and so is Fernando Couto for spitting at Erjon Bogdani last sunday. Di Carlo will have to change his winning team, which might result in a less cohesive Parma.

Probable Line-up
Bucci; Coly, Paci, Rossi, Castellini; Dessena, Cigarini, Morrone, Pisanu; Corradi, Morfeo

Categorical Matchup

Goalie- Parma: As Francesco
already said, we’ve got some old dudes between the uprights today. 38-year old Bucci versus Alberto ‘who said I was old’ Fontana, weighing in at 40 years and a couple months. Fontana’s in the shape of his life, but I think Bucci will be a little faster than him today.

Defense- Palermo: Without Fernando Couto, the defense had to be reshaped. Marco Rossi isn’t really an asset to the team, and as Pisano is replacing Ciro ‘Suckfest’ Capuano, i believe Palermo to have the better defense.

Midfield- Push: Very young midfield over at Parma, with a whole lot of talent. On the other side there’s Jankovic, Simplicio and Guana, accompagnied by Caserta. I see a midfield-battle coming up, without a clear winner.

Forwards- Palermo: Parma scored 3 last week against Livorno, but I doubt if Old Man Corradi and Morfeo will be able to compete with Amauri - Miccoli backed up by the Serbian Stallion. i’m going for Palermo on this one.

Final Analysis

The last 2 encounters ended in 4-2 and 3-4, which might give us a lot of goals tonight. Hopefully they’ll be scored by the home team. Both teams need a win, but Palermo needs it just a little more. Parma hasn’t won a single game out of the Tardini, but Palermo has only won once at the Barbera. Both teams will see this as a huge chance to turn things around.

Prediction

3-1. The return of Jankovic will prove to be a success, as the Palermo-attack will receive more usefull balls. I see a lot of chances for Parma, but their attackers will be held by Fontana.

For a Gialloblù-look on things, head over to Francesco!!!!