Can the hosts build on their success? Juventus vs Parma match prediction
Juventus and Parma will meet in the second round of the Italian Serie A. The match will be played at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday, 29 August, with kick-off at 20:45 CET. I am backing both the result and the number of goals in this game.
H2H and statistical facts
- Juventus have won just two of their previous six Serie A matches.
- The Turin side have not won at home since April.
- Parma have lost their last two away matches.
- Parma have not won in Turin since 2011.
A new chapter in Turin
Juventus enter the new season after a very busy summer of preparations. Luciano Spalletti's side played six friendlies, starting with matches against Basel and Standard Liège before facing Nice. The Turin club then embarked on an international tour, taking on Chelsea in Hong Kong, Inter and Palermo in Perth.
The intensive tour was particularly important for Spalletti, as it allowed him to test his team against opponents of varying levels. After the match against Inter, the coach noted that Juventus had shown moments of uncertainty and called on the team to become more cohesive. Ahead of the start of the league campaign, the manager was hoping that the intensive work during the summer would help the players better understand the demands of the new system.
The transfer campaign has also significantly changed the Turin squad. One of the main arrivals was Randal Kolo Muani, who returned to the club on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell and signed a five-year contract. Guglielmo Vicario arrived in goal on loan from Tottenham until the summer of 2027, while Jonathan Lucumí strengthened the centre of defence.
Juventus made a winning start to their Serie A campaign, although it was hardly flawless. On the opening matchday, they beat Frosinone 1-0 away from home, with Gleison Bremer scoring the only goal. Spalletti's side controlled the game and kept a clean sheet, but their attacking potential has yet to be fully realised.
Parma looking to replace departed leaders
Parma also had plenty of work to do over the summer ahead of the new season. Carlos Cuesta's side held a full training camp in Pinzolo and played several friendlies. Their preparations included draws against Arezzo and Iraklis, before pre-season ended with a 2-0 defeat by Sampdoria. Overall, the results were not particularly impressive, but the coaching staff used the summer to reshape the team's style of play and integrate new players.
One of Cuesta's main tasks was to build on the team's progress from last season while simultaneously refreshing the squad. The 31-year-old Spaniard kept his job and continued working with a young team that finished 13th in the previous campaign. Parma's main objective once again is to comfortably retain their top-flight status while continuing to develop their promising young players.
In the transfer market, Parma had to strengthen their squad while also replacing significant departures. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and forward Mateo Pellegrino left the club, with their departures representing two of the main transfer stories of the summer. Touaré arrived to bolster the attack, while following Pellegrino's departure, the club also agreed a deal to sign Argentine forward David Romero from Tigre. The management hope that the revamped attack will compensate for the loss of one of last season's most prolific players.
Ahead of the Serie A opener, Parma received a positive boost by beating Catania 2-0 in the Coppa Italia. Both goals were scored by 18-year-old Simone Lontani, with both coming before half-time. However, the team failed to build on that success in the opening round of Serie A, losing 1-0 at home to Cagliari. The game remained evenly balanced for a long time, but in the 79th minute Matteo Romano secured victory for the visitors with a long-range strike.
Probable line-ups
- Juventus: Vicario, Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso, Locatelli, Luiz, McKennie, Boga, Conceição, Kolo Muani.
- Parma: Corvi, Valeri, Ndiaye, Troilo, Delprato, Keita, Bernabé, Ordóñez, Lontani, Almqvist, Touaré.
What to bet on?
Juventus look like clear favourites for the upcoming match. The Turin side have a stronger squad, are playing at home and have already opened the season with a victory, while Parma are still adapting to significant changes in personnel and are struggling for goals. At the same time, the visitors are capable of remaining compact for long periods, so the hosts should not expect an easy game. The most logical option looks to be a Juventus win and under 3.5 total goals.
