Parma vs. Atalanta, Preview: There’s three points to play for, if nothing else!

Parma are usually reasonably pleasing on the eye, though watching them recently has made that eye start to cry tears of sorrow and regret; tears which longed for the first half of the season when the crociati were chasing Europe. Unfortunately Roberto Donadoni's side have only won three times all year, and they've fallen out of the top half of the table altogether.

Atalanta have been pretty underwhelming too, having also failed to build on their promising previous campaign. La Dea are a place and a point behind Parma in 13th, though would leapfrog the gialloblu with a victory this weekend. If they were to do so, they'd be only the fourth team to beat them at the Ennio Tardini all season.

However, they're lumbered with several absentees. Igor Budan, Riccardo Cazzola, Guido Marilungo and Franco Brienza are all out injured, while Marko Livaja has a one match ban. Cristiano Del Grosso, James Troisi and Facundo Parra are all in doubt.

The crociati's injury position looks considerably healthier. Only McDonald Mariga is definitely unavailable, though winger Nicola Sansone's been all by himself in training, and could be ruled out too.