Improving Parma take on Beppe Iachini's frustrating Fiorentina on Saturday evening, with La Viola currently in 11th place with seven points from six Serie A games, while the hosts are two points behind in 15th.
Rumours persist about the future of the visitors' coach as his inconsistent side aim to bounce back from defeat in Rome last week by picking up points at the Tardini.
Match preview
Parma were heartrendingly, but perhaps predictably, denied victory over Inter last week, as their two-goal lead evaporated in the dying moments at San Siro.
Elusive Ivorian forward Gervinho finally came good in spectacular fashion in Milan, firing his side into a shock two-goal lead against Antonio Conte's men. However, they conceded an injury-time equaliser from Ivan Perisic to register their second successive 2-2 draw in the league.
It was a taste of their own medicine for the side managed by the forthright Fabio Liverani, as a week previously they had themselves fought back from two down to draw with promoted Spezia.
From a positive perspective, Parma have now scored two goals in each of their last three league outings - the last time they had a longer streak with two or more goals in Serie A was back in October 2013.
With Saturday's game in mind, home advantage may be crucial, as four of Parma's five points this season have come at the Tardini and they also prospered on home turf against Pescara in the Coppa Italia last week.
Fiorentina - the opening ten minutes or so aside - were comprehensively outplayed at the Olimpico against Roma last Sunday evening, with Beppe Iachini's charges having a spectacular showing from goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski to thank for limiting their losses.
Defender Lucas Martinez Quarta - who appeared uncomfortable throughout - was sent off late on, as the coach's bizarre experiment with a front pairing of lightweight wingers Franck Ribery and Jose Callejon badly backfired.
High-calibre alternatives including Maurizio Sarri, Walter Mazzarri and Cesare Prandelli are apparently now being considered for a seat in the Fiorentina dugout.
The Tuscan club have already conceded 12 goals in the league this season - since the turn of the century, only in 2001-02 had the Viola let in more goals after their first six Serie A games.
Perhaps the brightest spark in their campaign so far, Gaetano Castrovilli, has scored four goals - already a personal record in a single season - and is the only Fiorentina player to have netted more than once in the league. However, the recently-capped Azzurri international was substituted at half time in Rome after picking up a yellow card, then narrowly avoiding a second before the break.
Nonetheless, Fiorentina still sit within striking distance of the top six and facing feasibly winnable fixtures - against Parma and then Benevento - either side of the forthcoming international break.
In the last 11 Serie A matches between these sides, they share a record of three wins apiece and five draws. There is little to suggest that Saturday's encounter will not be as closely poised, particularly as pressure mounts on two of the 'favourites' in the Serie A sack race.
Parma Serie A form: LLWLDD
Parma form (all competitions): LWLDWD
Fiorentina Serie A form: WLLDWL
Fiorentina form (all competitions): LLDWWL
Team News
Parma forward Andreas Cornelius suffered an injury against Inter, but Roberto Inglese returned to action with an assist and is available to start.
Defenders Bruno Alves and Yordan Osorio are back from self-isolation and have re-joined the Gialloblu squad ahead of the game. Midfielders Juan Brunetta and Matteo Scozzarella return from injury too.
Fiorentina skipper German Pezzella remains out with an ankle injury and his cover, Lucas Martinez Quarta, is also unavailable through suspension. Therefore, inexperienced Igor - on loan from Serie B SPAL - may be drafted into the back three by coach Iachini.
Dusan Vlahovic is likely to come back into the forward line, having bafflingly made way for Jose Callejon last week, though Christian Kouame or even Patrick Cutrone could equally be considered for the berth alongside Franck Ribery.
Parma possible starting lineup:
Sepe; Grassi, Iacoponi, Gagliolo, Pezzella; Hernani, Brugman, Kurtic; Kucka; Gervinho, Inglese
Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Dragowski; Caceres, Igor, Milenkovic; Lirola, Bonaventura, Amrabat, Castrovilli, Biraghi; Ribery, Vlahovic
We say: Parma 2-1 Fiorentina
Slowly building momentum after issues such as illness, injury and out-of-form forwards, Parma can capitalise on Fiorentina's recent woes.
An increasingly confused coach suffering under the expectations of both club president and impatient tifosi, Iachini could see his demise all but sealed if a revitalised Gervinho can tear into Fiorentina's makeshift back line.
Top betting tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:databody check tags ::
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