Serie A | Gameweek 37

May 18, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stadio Ennio Tardini

Parma vs Napoli

Match preview

Eager to take one step closer to the title, Napoli welcomed mid-table Genoa to the Stadio Maradona last weekend. They took to the pitch just after their sole rivals Inter had drawn level on points by beating Torino.

The Partenopei had previously posted four straight wins, all with clean sheets, as they drove towards the finish line. However, despite the efforts of the front pair, Romelu Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori, who put them ahead twice, they conceded a late goal and had to settle for a draw, which was uncharacteristic of them.

Head coach Antonio Conte, who is now trying to lead a third different club to the Scudetto after Inter and Juventus, was left ashen-faced at the final whistle. However, his team still lead the race by one point.

Linked with a summer switch to either Juventus or AC Milan, the former Italy manager's stay in Naples may only be one year, and taking maximum points in Parma and at home to Cagliari will ensure it ends in success.

Despite suffering a setback, Napoli are still masters of their own destiny. Even if they draw once and their Milanese rivals win all their remaining games, a play-off for the top spot would take place.

Having won their last two away games while keeping a clean sheet, they now head to Emilia-Romagna knowing that victory, coupled with an Inter loss against the in-form Como, would seal first place definitively.

Napoli will certainly not be taking anything for granted this weekend, given their incredibly tight recent head-to-head record at the Tardini.

Across the last 14 top-flight meetings between these clubs in Parma, there have been six wins apiece, with the hosts scoring 21 goals and the visitors 20.

Furthermore, the Gialloblu are still fighting for survival after last week's 2-1 defeat to struggling Empoli, when a first-half red card for Lautaro Valenti proved costly.

Just when the finishing line was in sight, Parma lost back-to-back matches, having been beaten just once in their first nine games under Cristian Chivu.

Nonetheless, with two rounds remaining and four points clear of the relegation zone, last term's Serie B champions are still on track to avoid a swift return to Italy's second tier.

Parma have often impressed on their own turf this season, conquering Lazio, Bologna and Juventus at home, and fighting back to draw 2-2 with Inter. Another upset on Sunday could confirm their Serie A status.

Recent Performance

Parma Serie A form:DDWDLL

Napoli Serie A form:DWWWWD

Team News

Having played a half-fit Stanislav Lobotka last week, and having done something similar with key defender Alessandro Buongiorno soon after, Antonio Conte will be without both players for Napoli's trip to Parma.

Juan Jesus is also unavailable, so Mathias Olivera is likely to fill in at centre-back again; meanwhile, Billy Gilmour is set to replace Lobotka in midfield.

The Scotland international will join compatriot Scott McTominay, the first midfielder in 14 years to record at least 15 goal contributions in his first Serie A season.

Up front, Romelu Lukaku — who scored one of two late goals as Napoli dramatically beat Parma 2–1 on his club debut in August — is expected to be partnered by Giacomo Raspadori. The latter has returned to favour following a formation switch brought about by injuries and has found the net in both of his last two appearances.

Meanwhile, the hosts have recently paired Ange-Yoan Bonny and Mateo Pellegrino in attack, though veteran striker Milan Djuric bolstered his case for a starting position by scoring against Empoli last time out.

Alessandro Vogliacco, Valentin Mihaila, Yordan Osorio and Gabriel Charpentier are among a long list of unavailable Parma players, while Lautaro Valenti is suspended.

Midfielders Nahuel Estevez and Adrian Bernabe are still hoping to recover from muscular problems, but at best they would make the bench.

Possible starting lineup

Parma possible starting lineup:

Suzuki; Del Prato, Leoni, Balogh; Hainaut, Hernani, Keita, Sohm, Valeri; Pellegrino, Bonny

Napoli possible starting lineup:

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Olivera, Spinazzola; Politano, Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay; Raspadori, Lukaku