It’s a daunting task that awaits Parma at the Ennio Tardini Stadium midweek, especially given how they have won just four Serie A games this season. Parma find themselves in a similar situation as last season, battling towards the bottom of the pile. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Sassuolo at the weekend, putting them just six points above the relegation zone.

The Gialloblu have been poor on home turf this season, and have won just one of their last seven matches at the Ennio Tardini Stadium. While they did manage to secure three points against Fiorentina last time out, La Viola have had a rotten season so far - they sit in the relegation zone with just 12 points after 18 Serie A matches. Inter Milan are operating at peak performance at the moment, and they come into this clash in a rich vein of form, so it’s understandable why they are heavy favourites.

However, it might not just be one-way traffic. Parma have been able to cause problems for the big sides this season, due to their efficiency on the break. The Gialloblu scored twice when they faced AC Milan at the start of November, securing a 2-2 draw in what was quite a big upset.

They also managed to get on the scoresheet against Roma and Atalanta this term. Parma certainly have enough firepower to contribute to the scoreline here, especially considering how Inter Milan have kept just three clean sheets from their last ten matches across all competitions.

Keeping the Nerazzurri at bay will be the real challenge, though, which most sides have struggled to do this season. With 38 goals scored after 17 league matches, Inter Milan are the top scorers in the league this season, and they scored five goals across their two league meetings against Parma last season.

The Gialloblu have kept just two clean sheets from their seven games without their regular first-choice keeper, Zion Suzuki, with Edoardo Corvi and Vicente Guaita deputising in his absence. Lautaro Martinez will hope to exploit that weakness at the back and extend his impressive scoring streak. The Argentine international has scored in each of his last three away starts. In fact, he has accounted for four of Inter Milan’s five goals in their last three league outings on the road.

Martinez is averaging 4.4 shots per game at the San Siro this season, and 4.45 when playing away. He has been incredibly consistent with his output this term, and he has taken more shots than any other player in the Inter Milan squad, highlighting how he is the primary threat. Martinez has 13 goals under his belt so far as we approach the halfway point of the season, putting him on track to have his most prolific campaign to-date.

In addition to his goalscoring exploits, Martinez is averaging 1.97 fouls drawn per 90 across all competitions this term, highlighting just how difficult he is to contain. In fact, all of the Inter attacks are - Marcus Thuram is averaging 2.02 fouls drawn per 90, Pio Esposito’s figure is at 3.67, and Ange-Yoan Bonny sits at 2.73. Cristian Chivu has been active with rotating his attackers, but regardless of who starts, the Parma centre-backs have an excellent matchup to back fouls.

Alessandro Circati suffered a serious ankle injury at the start of November, but has since recovered and been thrust straight back into the starting eleven. He made his return against Fiorentina, playing the full 90 while committing one foul, which was enough to earn a booking. Circati repeated that feat against Sassuolo last time out, with one foul that was worth a yellow.