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A stunning unbeaten run pulled Parma out of mid-table and into the fight for the final European place in Serie A, challenging Saturday's opponents Inter Milan, who have spent the entire season around the top five.
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Although the crociati's form stuttered somewhat in late March, it appears to have been brought back in line with a victory over Napoli followed by a draw with a battling Bologna. The match with Inter presents Parma with their golden chance to get into the European places and stay there, with their remaining five matches looking considerably easier than Inter's.
Indeed, on pure form terms, Parma appear more deserving of the place in next season's Europa League. Whilst Inter have scratched around but never truly hit form, Parma's season has included one of the finest unbeaten runs in Europe this year and a just reward would be a place in continental competition.
However, first they'll have to fend off competition from the three sides directly below them in the table, Torino, Milan and Lazio. They are all just three points from Parma and five from Inter, and with Inter having to play Milan and Lazio, and Parma facing Torino in the run-in, it should be an exciting battle for the right to play in Europe next season.
Parma are relatively free of injury concerns with Antonio Cassano a doubt alongside long-termers Jherson Vergara and Nicola Pozzi. Inter will be without central defensive pairing Andrea Ranocchia, suspended, and Juan Jesus, injured, whilst Jonathan Moreira is a doubt.
Parma injuries and suspensions
Out: Nicola Pozzi (injured). In doubt: Antonio Cassano, Jherson Vergara.
Inter injuries and suspensions
Out: Juan Jesus, McDonald Mariga, Cristian Chivu (injured); Andrea Ranocchia (suspended). In doubt: Jonathan Moreira.
Projected lineups
Parma: Mirante, Cassani, Paletta, Lucarelli, Molinaro, Acquah, Marchionni, Gargano, Schelotto, Palladino, Biabiany
Inter: Handanović, Campagnaro, Samuel, Rolando, D'Ambrosio, Cambiasso, Kovačić, Nagatomo, Hernanes, Icardi, Palacio
Match date/time: Saturday, 3 p.m. local, 9 a.m. E.T.
Venue: Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma, Italy
TV: RAI Internazionale (U.S. and Canada - Italian), beIN Sports (U.S. and Canada - English), Sky Calcio 2, Premium Calcio 2 (Italy)
Online: beIN Sports Play (U.S. and Canada)