Parma and Lecce will clash at the Stadio Ennio Tardini this evening as both teams look to improve their positions at the bottom of the Serie A table. Kick-off is set for 19:45 GMT, and with Parma sitting 16th and Lecce at 18th, this match is pivotal for both sides, who are embroiled in a relegation battle.
Both teams have made three changes from their last outings following disappointing defeats. Lecce's Patrick Dorgu will not start as he prepares for his impending move to Manchester United. The Danish defender is reported to be leaving Lecce for about €37.5 million, including add-ons. Despite his imminent transfer, Dorgu has been included in the matchday squad for the game against Parma.
Patrick Dorgu was one of the three players dropped from Lecce's starting XI after their 4-0 hammering by Inter Milan. Alongside Dorgu, Lassana Coulibaly and Tete Morente have also lost their places. New entrants Antonino Gallo, Ylber Ramadani, and Jesper Karlsson will look to make their mark as Lecce seeks to bounce back.
Parma, on the other hand, will also be making adjustments after they fell to AC Milan 3-2 last time out. Notable exclusions from their starting lineup include Enrico Delprato, Hernani, and Dennis Man, who have been replaced by Giovanni Leoni, Mandela Keita, and Anas Haj Mohamed. This reshuffle aims to regain some stability and direction after their recent performances, as they strive for their first win of the calendar year.
The last time these teams met, they played to a dramatic 2-2 draw back in September, marred by nine yellow cards and two red cards. The intensity displayed then is expected to carry over tonight, with both teams increasingly desperate for points.
For today’s match, Parma will be without several key players including full-backs Botond Balogh and Yordan Osorio, as well as midfielder Gabriel Charpentier due to various injuries. This limitation on resources means Parma’s manager will need to rely heavily on the substitutes and new signings to fill the gaps left by departing players.
Meanwhile, Lecce sits precariously with several injuries affecting their squad depth. Lamekc Banda, Kialonda Gaspar, Filip Marchwinski, Hamza Rafia, and Medon Berisha will all miss the match, putting even more pressure on the remaining squad members to perform.
Betting odds reflect the tight nature of the encounter, with Parma favorites at 23/20 to secure three points. Lecce’s chances stand at 12/5, and based on their recent form, the likelihood of another high-scoring match is considerable. Indeed, there’s been over 2.5 goals scored in many of Parma’s games lately, and with the stakes this high, viewers can expect fireworks.
There is also speculation on booking points this match, with expectations for over 52.5 points echoing the heated exchanges witnessed previously. The first match saw six cards issued, and the anticipation of this being another combative fixture may see similar results.
The significance of this match goes beyond mere points. With both teams currently sharing 20 points and battling near the drop zone, there's no doubt each side will feel the pressure to secure the victory this evening.
Overall, with Parma and Lecce both seeking redemption, tonight's fixture promises to be thrilling and potentially pivotal as the battle for Serie A survival intensifies.