Parma will be looking to end a run of four straight defeats in the Italian top flight when they welcome Bologna to the Stadio Ennio Tardini on Sunday.

The two clubs are separated by just two points in the table after 31 games, with Parma sitting in 12th while Bologna occupy 10th spot as things stand.

Match preview

Any faint hopes that Parma had of breaking into the European places have been quickly scuppered following their fourth loss in succession against Roma on Wednesday evening.

I Gialloblu have only managed to take four points from 18 on offer since Serie A was given the green light to resume, and Parma now sit 12 points adrift of the top six with seven games left to play.

No other team in the top flight has suffered a worse run in the last couple of weeks than Parma. As things stand, only bottom-of-the-table SPAL and title-chasing Lazio have also failed to win in at least their most recent two matches.

A margin of 12 points also separates Parma from the relegation zone before Saturday's fixtures, so while Roberto D'Aversa's men should not be dragged into a relegation dogfight, Parma will need to be wary of the sides below them following their dismal run of form.

I Gialloblu will now endeavour to record their first home win since January, and D'Aversa's men have only managed to chalk up two goals in their last four on familiar territory.

Meanwhile, Bologna eventually came out on the wrong end of the scoreline against fellow European outsiders Sassuolo as their three-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end.

Sinisa Mihajlovic's side enjoyed away victories over Sampdoria and Inter Milan either side of a home draw to Cagliari, but Bologna's Europa League hopes have been left in tatters after their midweek 2-1 defeat.

I Rossoblu look set for a another mid-table finish as they sit 10 points behind the top six after 31 matches, and the sides above them in Sassuolo and AC Milan are showing no signs of slowing down as the fight for European football gathers pace.

However, depending on Sassuolo's and Hellas Verona's results against Lazio and Fiorentina respectively, Bologna could leapfrog the two former sides into eighth with a victory against a struggling Parma outfit.

Bologna's away record suggests that it could be done - Mihajlovic's men have only tasted defeat once in their last five matches on the road, although they were indebted to a late Blerim Dzemaili equaliser as Bologna and Parma played out a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture.

Parma Serie A form: DWLLLL

Bologna Serie A form: LLWDWL

Team News

Roberto Inglese has not featured for Parma since January following a thigh injury, but other than that D'Aversa has a clean bill of health for the visit of Bologna.

There are not expected to be many changes for the hosts despite their poor run of form, although Matteo Scozzarella and Riccardo Gagliolo will be pushing for recalls to the starting lineup.

As for Bologna, Stefano Denswil is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Roma, meaning that Danilo is likely to deputise in the heart of defence.

Roberto Soriano will also serve the second of his two-match ban following his sending off against Inter, while Andrea Poli and Federico Santander are not expected to feature through injury.

Nicola Sansone will be hoping to feature from the first whistle after appearing off the bench last time out, although it is difficult to see Musa Barrow dropping out of the side following his goal against Sassuolo - his fourth in as many matches.

Parma possible starting lineup:
Sepe; Darmian, Iacoponi, Alves, Gagliolo; Kukca, Hernani, Scozzarella; Kulusevski, Cornelius, Gervinho

Bologna possible starting lineup:
Skorupski; Tomiyasu, Bani, Danilo, Dijks; Medel, Dominguez; Orsolini, Schouten, Barrow; Palacio

We say: Parma 1-2 Bologna

Parma need to turn their fortunes around lest they risk slipping further down the table, but they are now facing a Bologna side boasting an encouraging record on their travels, so we are expecting a narrow away victory in this mid-table clash.