Parma vs. Napoli: Match Preview, TV schedule, and how to watch Serie A

Hey Napoli? Do us a favor and absolutely obliterate Parma. You need the points and they shouldn't offer too much of a challenge. Eight or nine goals should do the trick. Thanks.

Not Even Pride Left

There's nothing left for Parma to play for. They've already guaranteed relegation, and even the old "play for pride" mantra doesn't mean much right now with the club's financial woes. Parma are only even operating right now because of a program set up by Serie A and the FIGC to cover the club's basic operating expenses for the rest of the season. Things are so bad for the crociati that even their medical equipment and club vehicles have been seized. There's really no pride left at this point.

This is a fairly different side than the one Napoli faced in December. A player exodus has left them with a squad that wouldn't regularly beat Serie B sides, despite the best efforts and determination of Roberto Donadoni. That's not to say that they can't cause a threat -- just ask Palermo -- but when any Napoli backup could provide at least a useful upgrade at their position, if not a significant one, your squad just isn't very good.

Balancing The Load

Napoli are probably going to rotate fairly heavily for this match, resting players ahead of their crucial second leg of the Europa League. They can't afford to drop points in this match, though, especially after Roma lost on Saturday and Lazio facing a potentially difficult match of their own.

With the squad more or less at full strength right now, there's plenty of chance to rotate the squad.  Given that there's a few guys in the squad who could use a start after going awhile without, that's quite a good thing for Napoli. As long as the players don't lose focus and the tactical planning actually has some real plans to it -- two factors that have been issues against smaller clubs this season -- Napoli should be able to win handily. Of course, "should" and "will" are two different issues, as Napoli have found out too many times during this campaign.

Projected Lineups Sure To Be Wrong

Parma: Mirante; Mendes, Lucarelli, Santacroce; Varela, Mauri, Nocerino, Lila, Gobbi; Coda, Palladino

Napoli: Andujar; Maggio, Henrique, Koulibaly, Strinic; Gargano, Lopez; Callejon, Gabbiadini, Mertens; Zapata

At A Glance

Parma: 20th; 6W 5D 23L; League Form: LLWDL

Napoli: 4th; 17W 8D 9L; League Form: WLWWW

Watch It

TV: Premium Calcio 1, Sky Calcio 2 (Italy), BT Sport 1 (U.K.)

Online: FuboTV, beIN Sports Connect (U.S. & Canada), Premium Play, Sky Go Italia (Italy), RAI International

Other live viewing options can be found here, and as always, we'll have a match thread live here for discussion of the game at hand. You can also follow along with us live on Twitter, and we'll have updates of the most important events on our Facebook page, which you should definitely like.