Parma-Cremonese    (half-won)

Parma and Cremonese have made almost identical poor starts to the league season. Both teams lost their opening two matches without scoring, and there is little reason to expect their attacking problems to disappear simply because this is a Coppa Italia fixture.

Parma lost 0-1 to Cagliari and 0-2 to Juventus. Across those two games, they managed only five shots on target and are averaging exactly 0 goals per match. After selling leading scorer Pellegrino, Parma have lost an important finishing outlet. Midfield creator Nicolussi Caviglia is also injured, further limiting their ability to build attacks and produce quality chances around the penalty area.

Cremonese are in a similar position. They have also failed to score in their first two league games, recording just one shot on target in total. Their average is 0 goals scored and 2 goals conceded per match, while their goal difference is the worst in the league. De Luca and Bonazzoli have yet to open their scoring accounts, and the pressure on the head coach is increasing. At the back, several important players, including Barbieri and Baschirotto, are doubtful. Midfielder Tosby could also miss the game because of transfer-related issues, leaving the squad unsettled.

Both teams have managed to regain some confidence by eliminating opponents in the Coppa Italia, but four league matches without a single goal point to deeper problems than simple bad luck. Their attacking structures and finishing remain unreliable, and neither side looks likely to suddenly produce a high-scoring performance against a familiar opponent.

Considering the two teams’ scoring droughts, injury concerns and recent tendency towards low-scoring meetings, a cautious game is the most likely outcome.

Pick: Under 2.25