Preview: Parma vs Atalanta BC - prediction, team news, lineups

Both seeking their first Serie A win of the season, Parma and Atalanta BC will clash at Stadio Tardini on Saturday evening.

While the Crociati were beaten by Juventus on the opening day, La Dea could only draw at home to promoted Pisa.

Match preview

Three months after confirming their Serie A status with a 3-2 win over Atalanta on the final matchday of 2024-25, Parma are set to meet the Bergamo club once again.

On that occasion, Cristian Chivu was still in charge of the Crociati, but he soon left to take over at his former club Inter Milan and was replaced by rookie coach Carlos Cuesta.

Last weekend, Cuesta - at the age of 30 years and 26 days - became the third-youngest manager to debut in Italy's top flight, as his team lost 2-0 in Turin.

The ex-Arsenal assistant came away empty-handed from a tough opening fixture at Juventus - one of his old clubs - so he will be intent on claiming at least one point this week.

Parma's last outing at the Tardini was a 2-0 win over Pescara in the Coppa Italia, which set up a second-round tie against Spezia next month.

First, though, the Emilian side must host Atalanta before the international break, then take on potential survival rivals Cagliari and Cremonese.

Parma's win in May ended Atalanta's run of seven straight Serie A victories over Saturday's opponents - though they have won on their last four trips to the Tardini.

History might be on their side, but new coach Ivan Juric still has a point to prove after taking the reins from his mentor, La Dea legend Gian Piero Gasperini.

Capping off a nine-year reign, the Europa League winner guided Atalanta to their best Serie A points tally last term, as they qualified for the Champions League for a fifth time in seven seasons.

So, Juric has a tough act to follow, particularly after an awful year spent between Roma and Southampton.

Following a testing summer in the transfer market - with reigning Capocannoniere Mateo Retegui already gone and Ademola Lookman determined to depart - the Nerazzurri failed to beat newly promoted Pisa last week.

Despite dominating throughout, it took Gianluca Scamacca's first goal since returning from a long injury layoff to spare their blushes in Bergamo, where it ended 1-1.

As Atalanta have won seven of their last eight Serie A away games - and with an aggregate goal difference of plus-20 - perhaps a road trip to Parma will help them get off the mark.

Parma Serie A form: L

Parma form (all competitions): W L

Atalanta BC Serie A form: D

Team News

After Parma's star striker Ange-Yoan Bonny followed Chivu to Inter, his replacement Matija Frigan recently suffered an ACL rupture.

So, with Patrick Cutrone yet to seal his switch from Como, Mateo Pellegrino - who bagged a brace against Pescara in the cup - is set to start up front.

Swedish winger Jacob Ondrejka joins Frigan and Hernani on the sidelines due to injury, but Botond Balogh and Abdoulaye Ndiaye are both back after serving suspensions.

Meanwhile, Atalanta's absence list is still headlined by Lookman, who is desperately trying to force through a transfer; Sead Kolasinac will also miss out, alongside key midfielder Ederson.

While club-record signing El Bilal Toure recently followed Retegui out of the door, La Dea can choose between new striker Nikola Krstovic - who was involved in four goals against Parma last season - and Scamacca to start up front.

Parma possible starting lineup: Suzuki; Delprato, Circati, Valenti; Lovik, Bernabe, Keita, Valeri; Almqvist, Ordonez; Pellegrino

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup: Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Pasalic, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Maldini; Scamacca

We say: Parma 1-2 Atalanta BC

The last eight contests between these clubs have averaged more than four goals per game, and Saturday's clash could also feature a few chances at both ends.

Atalanta have been superb on their travels in 2025, so they can edge out their hosts, whose wait for a first point will go on.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.