Yildiz's absence complicates Spalletti's task: prediction for Juventus vs Parma – 29.08.2026
On Saturday, August 29, 2026, in the second round of Italy’s Serie A, Juventus will host Parma at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. Kickoff is set for 20:45 local time. The two teams had contrasting starts to the campaign: Juventus grabbed all three points away at Frosinone, while Parma suffered a home defeat to Cagliari. Now Luciano Spalletti’s men play their first home match of the new season, aiming to reaffirm their status as genuine contenders for a top-four return.
- Also read: Prediction for the Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad match: another challenge for 'the Special One' - 26.08.2026.
Juventus: three points to start, but still far from perfect
Juventus kicked off the new Serie A campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 away win over Frosinone. The only goal came in the 22nd minute, with Bremer heading home a cross from Francisco Conceição. However, the scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story: Spalletti’s side started brightly, created plenty of chances, and could have wrapped up the result much earlier. Once again, though, they struggled with finishing. After the match, Spalletti admitted his players too often failed to exploit open spaces, allowing Frosinone to stay in the contest right until the end.
Still, there were encouraging signs for the Bianconeri in the opening round. Bremer, after his struggles in recent seasons, is once again proving to be not just a defensive leader but a major threat on set pieces. Conceição continues to make an impact in attack: since the start of 2026, he already has six Serie A assists—one of the best tallies among attacking players in the league.
The main concern ahead of the Parma match is the condition of Kenan Yildiz. After the Frosinone game, Juventus’ number ten was diagnosed with a left foot injury. Italian sources suggest surgery is even being considered, with a potential recovery time of around two months. Yildiz is ruled out for the Parma clash—a significant blow for Spalletti, as the Turkish international was expected to provide creativity between the lines. The most logical replacement is Jérémie Boga, who came on for Yildiz in the first round.
There’s also a minor question mark over Guglielmo Vicario. The new Juventus goalkeeper was substituted in stoppage time at Frosinone, though early reports point to cramp rather than a serious injury. For now, there’s no reason to automatically rule him out for Saturday. Federico Gatti and Jeff Ehator missed the first round due to injuries.
Even before the season began, Spalletti stressed that as many as seven or eight teams could realistically fight for the top four. Last season, Juventus missed out, so dropping points at home to the likes of Parma is simply not an option—especially with the added demands of Serie A and the Europa League looming.
Parma: painful rebuilding and a defeat in the opening round
Parma had a rough start to their Serie A return. Carlos Cuesta’s side lost 1-0 at home to Cagliari, in a match that was evenly poised for long spells. Everything was decided by a long-range strike from Alessandro Romano in the 79th minute. The starting lineup featured Corvi, Delprato, Troilo, Ndiaye, Valeri, Keita, Konate, Ordonez, Bernabe, Lontani, and El Bilal Toure.
Context from the summer transfer window is crucial to understanding the current Parma. In a short span, they lost several key players integral to the team’s structure. First-choice goalkeeper Zion Suzuki left for Aston Villa, centre-back Alessandro Circati joined Benfica, and striker Matteo Pellegrino was sold to Fiorentina. As a result, Cuesta is having to rebuild both his defense and attack on the fly.
Yet there are some positives for the visitors. In the Coppa Italia, Parma convincingly beat Catania 2-0, with both goals scored by the young Simone Lontani. Cuesta is working to make his side more dynamic and flexible, focusing on compactness and quick use of open space. This style—sitting deep and springing forward after turnovers—seems the most logical approach in Turin as well.
However, squad depth remains a concern. Hans Nicolussi Caviglia picked up a thigh injury during preseason and was not included in the squad for the opener. Against Cagliari, Cuesta essentially relied on the core group currently available to him.
Probable lineups
- Juventus: Vicario — Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Celik — Locatelli, Douglas Luiz — Conceição, McKennie, Boga — Kolo Muani.
- Parma: Corvi — Delprato, Troilo, Ndiaye, Valeri — Keita, Konate, Ordonez — Bernabe, Lontani — El Bilal Toure.
Juventus’ lineup is based on their starting eleven from the opening round, with Boga the most likely replacement for the injured Yildiz. For Parma, after their defeat to Cagliari, there’s no clear reason to overhaul the starting lineup.
Match facts and head-to-head history
- Last season, Juventus won both encounters with Parma: 2-0 in Turin and 4-1 away.
- In their last five meetings, Juventus have won three, Parma have won one, and one match ended in a draw.
- Juventus opened this league campaign with a win and a clean sheet.
- Parma failed to score in their opening home match.
- Juventus have won seven of their last eight Serie A matches against newly promoted teams.
Home class should prevail even without Yildiz: Juventus vs Parma prediction
Yildiz’s injury limits Juventus’ attacking variety, so don’t expect an easy walkover for Spalletti’s men. The first round already showed that, despite dominating play, the Bianconeri still lack efficiency in the final third. Kolo Muani had good chances in Frosinone but failed to convert, forcing Juventus to defend their lead until the very last whistle.
Nevertheless, the match dynamics favor the hosts. Parma, after significant squad changes, still need time to gel—especially at the back, having lost their starting keeper and a key centre-back just days before the campaign began. In Turin, the visitors will almost certainly spend long spells without the ball, and escaping Juventus’ pressing will be a much sterner test than playing at home against Cagliari.
Prediction: Juventus to win with a -2 handicap.
