This is a meeting of two sides whose coaches were appointed at the beginning of April. Delio Rossi is back at Palermo after Serse Cosmi failed to inspire the Rosanero players, while Franco Colomba was handed Pasquale Marino’s job at Parma after they were beaten at home by Bari.
Columba saw his new team lose 2-0 at Lazio in his first game in charge, but he has recorded surprise wins over Inter and Udinese since then to ease Parma’s relegation worries somewhat. Former Palermo striker Amauri has been on top form of late, scoring three times in his last two games for Parma.
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| Amauri has settled well at Parma since joining on loan in January |
Rossi has been enjoying his second spell at Palermo, and has yet to taste defeat since returning. League wins over Roma and Napoli, coupled with an impressive 2-2 draw at AC Milan in the first leg of the cup semi-final, have made Rossi’s re-appointment a popular one among Palermo supporters. His relationship with club owner Maurizio Zamparini has been strained however, following a public war of words which preceded Rossi’s sacking in late February. Zamparini may have plans to replace Rossi again in the summer, but he it seems unlikely that fans or players will support him in doing so. Javier Pastore –one of Palermo’s stars – has been quoted as saying “I owe (Rossi) a lot. Since he returned you have seen once again the true Pastore. If he leaves I will think about my future.”
Saturday’s game promises to be an exciting one, as both teams will be eager to continue their winning ways. Palermo are just six points off the Europa League qualifying places, while Parma sit three points above the relegation zone. The recent good form of both of these sides makes it a tough one to call, but considering the fact that the Palermo squad contains more quality overall, I think an away win is worth a small bet.
Prediction – Palermo to win – 2pts
Match odds: Parma 10/11
Draw 21/10
Palermo 16/5
Parma: Last 5 Serie A Results
23.04.2011 – Udinese 0-2 Parma
16.04.2011 – Parma 2-0 Inter
10.04.2011 – Lazio 2-0 Parma
03.04.2011 – Parma 1-2 Bari
20.03.2011 – Sampdoria 0-1 Parma
Palermo: Last 5 Serie A Results
23.04.2011 – Palermo 2-1 Napoli
23.04.2011 – Palermo 2-1 Napoli
16.04.2011 – Roma 2-3 Palermo
10.04.2011 – Palermo 2-2 Cesena
03.04.2011 – Catania 4-0 Palermo
19.03.2011 – Palermo 1-0 AC Milan
