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Genoa - Parma
This game could still be a relegation dogfight as a stuttering Genoa side host a Parma outfit who travel badly at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
The situation is starting to look ominous for Genoa. The Rossoblu were highly fortunate to snatch a late draw against Empoli last weekend and now have no win in nine. The pressure has been on since Week 15’s 3-1 defeat against Siena and boss Gian Piero Gasperini will only be able to relax over Christmas if he secures three points here.
The December break is a period when many clubs opt to make coaching changes and President Enrico Preziosi could be forgiven for feeling that a change of direction is needed. The newly promoted Grifoni haven’t faced a relegation battle for a long time, but they will surely be facing one if they can’t get the better of sides like Parma.
Parma breathed a sizeable sigh of relief with last weekend’s 3-0 thrashing of Reggina, but they need to show some consistency if they are to shake off the grim spectre of Serie B. Coach Domenico Di Carlo must still be feeling the pressure under demanding President Tommaso Ghirardi and will feel his glare if the Ducali slip up here.
The men from Emilia-Romagna badly need to improve on their travels. So far this term, Parma are yet to record an away win and have only scored three times away from the Stadio Tardini. It’s a miserable record and one that will see them embedded in the relegation mire unless they can make a stark improvement.
The two sides haven’t met in 12 years, but the last two occasions that they have squared off ended in stalemates. However, Parma will remember an emphatic 4-0 win at Marassi in 1994.
Gasperini is without Brazilian midfielder Sacramento Danilo and suspended stopper Cesare Bovo, who is an ex-Parma player. Another former Gialloblu star Marco Di Vaio will probably also sit this one out with an injury, but he could be handed a seat on the bench.
The visitors have a strong squad and temperamental midfielder Domenico Morfeo is still available, despite recent rows with Di Carlo. Key striker Igor Budan won’t return until the New Year and defenders Marco Rossi and Paolo Castellini remain sidelined.
Keep an eye on: Massimo Paci (Parma) – The 29-year-old wing-back is solid in defence, but is winning headlines for his successful forward forays.
Last season: Not played
Form guide: Genoa (L L D L D) Parma (D L W L W)
Genoa (probable): Rubinho; Bega, Lucarelli, Santos; Rossi, Paro, Juric, Fabiano; Leon, Borriello, Sculli
Parma (probable): Bucci; Coly, Falcone, Paci, Zenoni; Reginaldo, Morrone, Cigarini, Pisanu; Gasbarroni, Corradi
Roma - Sampdoria
With the Milan derby taking place this weekend, Roma will be desperate to make up some ground on Inter when they welcome Sampdoria to the Stadio Olimpico.
The Giallorossi have stuttered in recent weeks after a win over Udinese, picking up just a point on each occasion from fixtures with Livorno and Torino. In the latter they had to make do without Francesco Totti after he suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury and that is likely to be the case again this time out. Mirko Vucinic will probably deputise once again, but it’s time for the Montenegrin to step up to the plate – so far he has netted just twice in 14 League games this term.
Unfortunately for Roma boss Luciano Spalletti, his skipper is not the only player absent this week. Philippe Mexes has picked up one booking too many so he will sit out the last game before the winter break, with Matteo Ferrari set to take his place. It’s not all bad news though, as Rodrigo Taddei is available having sat out a ban of his own and the Brazilian should step in for Ludovic Giuly. Simone Perrotta is also tipped to start and it looks likely that Matteo Brighi will be the man to sit out.
Sampdoria boss Walter Mazzarri doesn’t have too many problems of his own to worry about when naming his starting XI, but he could have done with having two ex-Giallorossi stars at his disposal. However, Vincenzo Montella is carrying an injury and is unlikely to even make it on to the bench against the side he won the 2001 Scudetto with. But the bigger loss to Doria is the absence of Antonio Cassano, who had recently started showing signs of regaining his best form. His booking in the draw with Fiorentina means that he is suspended and he showed how much it meant to him by bursting into tears.
Paolo Sammarco would have provided Mazzarri with some relief as his suspension has now ended, but the former Azzurrini midfielder has picked up an injury which looks set to rule him out until the New Year. Indeed, the only major decision the ex-Reggina boss has to make is who to partner Claudio Bellucci with in the absence of Cassano – Emiliano Bonazzoli looks set to be given the nod.
The corresponding fixture last term saw Roma emerge with a 4-0 victory, thanks largely to a brace from Francesco Totti. Er Pupone also netted a stunning volley in the clash at Marassi, so his absence will be felt this weekend. Aside from last season’s matches, the head-to-head record between the sides had been pretty even in recent years. Roma can’t afford for that to be the case if they are to continue harbouring serious title aspirations.
Keep an eye on: Mirko Vucinic (Roma) – The former Lecce ace continues to infuriate Giallorossi fans with his inconsistent displays, but he can go some way to making up for it by giving them some festive cheer.
Last season: Roma 4-0 Sampdoria
Form guide: Roma (W W W D D) Sampdoria (W L W L D)
Roma (probable): Doni; Panucci, Ferrari, Juan, Tonetto; De Rossi, Pizarro; Taddei, Pizarro, Mancini; Vucinic
Sampdoria (probable): Castellazzi; Campagnaro, Sala, Gastaldello; Maggio, Palombo, Volpi, Pieri; Franceschini; Bonazzoli, Bellucci
Italy: 22/23rd Dec
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 1
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