As Antonio Conte takes his in-form Inter team down to the Ennio Tardini stadium on Thursday, he will have fresh memories of the two (2) points he dropped to Fabio Liverani’s men in October at the San Siro. Liverani departed in January, but Gervinho, who scored a double in the 2-2 draw, is still at Parma. Gervinho had been deemed surplus to requirements in the January transfer window. He has fallen down the pecking order, but there is no doubting his quality. He could be an option off the bench.

As a serial winner, Conte needs no reminders of the importance of every point. He takes nothing for granted, and he will want an emphatic result against this struggling Parma team. Parma nearly beat him; so, that is an added incentive to motivate Inter in the game. Conte knows that three (3) points may increase his Serie A lead over Milan to seven (7) points. A win for Parma could take them closer to the 18th position and boost their relegation battle.

In contrast, Parma Manager Roberto D’Aversa will be using the October result where Parma were so close to a massive upset to encourage his charges that they can go one step further this time around.

D’Aversa will be without Roberto Inglese, but he will be hoping Juraj Kucka and Wylan Cyprien can recover in time for this challenging fixture. Except for doubts over Ivan Perisic’ fitness, Inter have a fully fit squad.

D’Aversa knows Inter has the depth to bring on quality players with each substitution. The keys to this game for Parma will be to match Inter in the midfield. With the ball, Inter have the potential to play as many as six (6) midfielders if Martinez drops deep and the wing-backs push up into midfield. Martinez, dropping into midfield, pulls defenders out of position. Defenders pushing into midfield creates space for Lukaku to make powerful runs, either to the flanks or into the box. He can hold up the ball and wait for support or take on defenders and test the keeper with a powerful shot. Inter has so many beautiful strikers of the ball that goal threats are everywhere and need to be closed down. 

D’Aversa may consider bringing in an extra body in midfield for a double pivot to shield his defence. The added midfielder could affect his attacking playing style that has contributed to increases in goals scored. D’Aversa wide forwards must drop deep to match Inter numerically in midfield when out of possession. Space will exist behind the inter wing-backs at times. Playing the ball long to Cornelius allows Parma to relieve pressure and move the team up the field. He has strong hold-up play, and he can flick the ball into space behind the wing-backs for Karamoh and Mihaila to make runs in behind the Inter defence.

Inter’s form and quality should carry them comfortably through this game but never underestimate the underdogs. Parma could very well spring a shock result.

Inter should take this one by a 0-2 margin.

Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp renew their rivalry on Thursday, March 04th, as Tuchel heads North West to Anfield. Liverpool have held the upper hand in this fixture in recent times. Liverpool beat Chelsea 0-2 at Stamford Bridge in September, and a win would take the team in 4th place. Tuchel will be looking to do something Chelsea have not achieved since November 2017 and secure at least a point at Liverpool. A win for Chelsea would also put the team in 4th place. A point would not be a bad result for both teams in the race for Champions League football. Jurgen Klopp will be looking to end Liverpool’s abysmal home run, and he will take heart from the victory away to a defensively solid Sheffield United team.

Liverpool’s injury crisis has abated. Naby Keita and Caoimhin Kelleher have returned to fitness. Klopp also reported that Alisson (father’s death), Fabinho, and Diogo Jota could feature against Chelsea. The team will be without Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip. They all have long term injuries. Chelsea’s only injured player is Thiago Silva.

Following the impressive midweek Champions League win away to a top Atletico Madrid Team, Tuchel made some tactical changes by bringing in Ziyech and Chilwell for their first starts and bringing back Hudson-Odoi in the Right Wing Back position. The changes make perfect sense due to Manchester United’s playing style, and Chelsea dominated that game. Liverpool is; a completely different animal. Liverpool continues to play a high defensive line so expect Werner to start. Chilwell should keep his starting place as he offers better defensive coverage against Salah and Alexander Arnold, who are Liverpool’s biggest attacking threats. On the right, expect Reece James to get the nod ahead of Hudson-Odoi for better protection against an out of form but still dangerous Sadio Mane. Kante and Kovacic will start in midfield with Mason Mount before them. At some point, Pulisic can exploit the space behind the full-backs with pace and skill.

Teams have deployed defensive low-blocks at Anfield. Liverpool has been unable to break down these compact deep-lying defences. Klopp has creative options in midfield in Curtis Jones, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shaqiri and Naby Keita. Diogo Jota’s return could be pivotal to penetrating a low block should Tuchel use that tactic. Liverpool’s full-backs pushed very high against Sheffield United, and Alexander Arnold got to the by-line to cut back a ball to assist Curtis Jones. Robertson almost did the same for Salah, who placed wide. We have also seen Liverpool shooting a lot more.

Tuchel understands Klopp’s gegenpressing as it is a philosophy he successfully used. It will be interesting to see how he sets up his team. Tuchel does not want to lose this game; expect a pragmatic approach from Chelsea. Liverpool are always vulnerable to quick counter-attacks, especially with inexperienced centre-halves and the current lack of defensive cover in midfield to support the full-backs when they push high up the pitch.

Both teams will create chances, but they both struggle to finish them. They have also been sloppy at the back. This game has a scoring draw written over it based on current form, but the tactics and execution on the day will determine the result.