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Last Chance Saloon?

Parma host Udinese at the Tardini stadium in a game where coach Domenico Di Carlo could be sitting for the last time on the hosts' bench - unless he obtains the three points.

In fact, rumour has it that unless he obtains a win, he will be given the sack by president Tommaso Ghirardi.

The Crociati are coming into this one off the back of three consecutive draws, and their last win dates back to December 16, over two months ago. However, they now have a great opportunity to grab all three points as they face an Udinese side hit badly by injuries.

The Friulani seem to have lost their early season spark and in recent weeks they have only obtained one win away to Reggina, which has slowed down their Champions League ambitions: now, the team just wants to reach the 40 points margin in order to feel safe.

However, this game is obviously more important for Parma, who will need all three points in order to steer clear from the relegation zone in which they currently lie. Luckily for them, there are many teams within a few points of their grasp, and obtaining the three points here would help them take an important step forward.

Past Encounters

The Gialloblu have bad memories of the last game played between the two sides at the Tardini stadium, where Udinese easily won 3-0.

This encounter is characterized by just a handful of draws, whereas Parma seem to have the upper hand in most clashes at home. Udinese only managed to win 4 times in these last 15 years and this could further boost the home side's morale ahead of this clash.


FORM GUIDE

Parma
Torino - Parma 4 - 4 23/02/2008 SERIE A
Parma - Milan 0 - 0 16/02/2008 SERIE A
Cagliari - Parma 1 - 1 10/02/2008 SERIE A
Parma - Atalanta 2 - 3 03/02/2008 SERIE A
Catania - Parma 0 - 0 27/01/2008 SERIE A
Inter Milan - Parma 3 - 2 20/01/2008 SERIE A

Udinese
Udinese - Genoa 3 - 5 24/02/2008 SERIE A
Reggina - Udinese 1 - 3 17/02/2008 SERIE A
Udinese - Juventus 1 - 2 10/02/2008 SERIE A
Napoli - Udinese 3 - 1 02/02/2008 SERIE A
Catania - Udinese 2 - 1 30/01/2008 COPPA ITALIA
Udinese - Inter Milan 0 - 0 27/01/2008 SERIE A


TEAM NEWS

Parma
Morfeo is the only injured player, whereas Gasbarroni is suspended. Zenoni, Reginaldo, Falcone and Coly could all be banned for the next encounter if they receive a yellow card.

Probable Formation (4-4-2): Bucci, Zenoni, Falcone, Couto, Castellini, Dessena, Morrone, Cigarini, Pisanu, Corradi, Budan

Udinese
Many injuries for the Friulani as De Martino, Asamoah, Obodo, Mesto, Zapata and Isla are all out. On the other hand no player is suspended, but Dossena and Lukovic are one yellow card away from suspension.

Probable Formation (3-4-3): Handanovic, Ferronetti, Felipe, Lukovic, Colombo, D'Agostino, Inler, Dossena, Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Corradi (Parma)
His goals are desperately need for the Crociati in order to climb up the standings away from the bottom positions. Not a particularly brilliant season so far, but he could be decisive in these last few months.

Di Natale (Udinese)
Even during his side's defeat last weekend, he was Udinese's best player on the field as he scored and created a lot of spaces for his team. Very consistent this year and will need to continue this trend against Parma.


PREDICTION

Udinese seem to have too many injuries to really be able to cope with them for this clash. Parma also have a lot of reasons and motivations to win this game and in the end it should go their way.

Parma 2 - 0 Udinese


source:goal.com