Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker:
Two sides who will be desperate to claim a first-leg advantage on Tuesday night when they open their semi-final adventure, Cagliari will welcome Parma to the Unipol Domus.
Cagliari
Starting with the hosts, while Cagliari might have suffered Serie B play-off heartbreak last season, the Islanders are desperate to go one step further this time around. Eventually punching their semi-final ticket after securing a 2-1 victory at home against Venezia, Claudio Ranieri’s men have only continued on a real purple patch over the past month. Despite signing off April with a brief wobble, the former Leicester icon should find the mood in his camp heading into Tuesday’s first-leg showdown. Winning each of their last five straight meetings against Serie B opposition, the Sardinia-based outfit have also gained a recent reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third. Opening May with a remarkable display away at Perugia as they stormed their way to a stellar 5-0 romp, Cagliari are riding a major wave of momentum at a crucial time. Bagging 12 strikes on their five-match winning run, Ranieri’s side will be desperate to claim a first-leg advantage on Tuesday night.
Team News
Cagliari have confirmed that they will open Thursday’s first-leg showdown without the injured trio of Filippo Falco, Elio Capradossi and Luigi Palomba. However, the Islanders have not reported any fresh concerns and could name the same starting XI from last weekend’s 2-1 win against Venezia.
Bagging both of those quarter-final goals against Venezia over the weekend and now notching seven goals in his last six appearances against Serie B opposition, one-time AC Milan striker Gianluca Lapadula will spearhead Ranieri’s attack in midweek.
Parma
As for the visitors, punching an automatic semi-final ticket earlier in the month as they signed off the 2022/23 campaign with a 2-1 win against Venezia, Parma have once again impressed many across Serie B this season. Enjoying what has been an extended flurry since returning from March’s international break, the Crusaders will travel to the Unipol Domus potentially smelling the chance to spring a real upset. Unbeaten in each of their last eight straight meetings against Serie B opposition a run that stems back to March 18th Fabio Pecchia’s side will also be excited by their most recent meeting against Tuesday’s opponents. Putting in a thumping display as they secured an action-packed 2-1 victory when they welcomed Cagliari to Emilia-Romagna on April 22nd, Parma will be looking to produce a repeat performance here. Claiming back-to-back top-four finishes in Italy’s second-tier, Pecchia’s men have continued to shine on their travels this season. It is worth highlighting, Tuesday’s guests have lost just one of their last eight appearances away from the Stadio Ennio Tardini.
Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury issue and not making a single appearance since the start of April, Lautaro Valenti will not feature here. Likewise, in what could be a crucial blow for Parma, Drissa Camara will miss out in midweek through suspension.
Despite now being 45 years of age, former Italy and Juventus icon Gianluigi Buffon will once again start between the sticks on Tuesday night. Notching 11 Serie B strikes this season and claiming Parma’s Golden Boot, Franco Vazquez will lead Pecchia’s charge at the Unipol Domus.
Key Factors to Consider
