Lazio vs Parma: preview
We discuss the expectations for the encounter between Lazio and Parma in the eighth round of Serie A 2026/27. "Lazio" and "Parma" are at opposite ends of the Serie A table. The Romans, energized, are among the leaders, while "Parma" sinks into the relegation zone, even changing the head coach.
Key points
Lazio
1. "Lazio" almost ecstatic: six wins in seven Serie A matches
After seven rounds of Serie A, "Lazio" maintains the pace, ranking among the top three alongside "Inter" and "Roma". While earlier results could be attributed to the level of opponents, the 3:0 in Turin against "Juventus" cannot be overlooked. The Romans kept the balance at the "Juventus Stadium" and punished the rival for mistakes with three goals. The coach is motivated, but understands that there is still a lot of work ahead and the main thing is not to sell key assets in January, as happened last winter with the departure of Valentino Castellanos and Matteo Gendusi.
2. Kanchelieri returns, three players out of reach
The last winning matches of "Lazio" showed that Gennaro Gattuso has defined the first team. Changes are episodic and occur after injuries. In central defense, Josip Šutalo wins the competition over Danilo Duki. On the right, Romano Floriani benefits from Adam Marusic’s injury. In central midfield, Reda Belahya unexpectedly opens up and gains confidence while Nicola Roveda recovers. In attack, the 4-3-3 formation improves: Kanchelieri returns and potentially competes with Gustav Isaksson. In the central striker position, Tejani Noslin is preferred by Gattuso over Andrea Pina Monto.
3. Confidence in their forces helps "Lazio" be productive
The Romans, in seven rounds, scored 14 goals (sharing third place with "Milan") and conceded only four (second in the league). These numbers are excellent, but do not indicate how much the team has improved under Gattuso. The confidence conveyed by the coach covers the weaknesses. "Lazio" is far from the leaders in the number of shots and shots on target, but every second shot on target by the celeste leads to a goal. Efficiency and cynicism at maximum.
Parma
1. Parma’s crisis intensifies: two important defeats under Giarlino
The return of Alberto Giarlino was met with optimism, but two matches against "Inter" and "Torino" (both 0:3) resulted in failures in terms of results. There was nothing the Parma men could grab with the "black and blue", and against "Torino" the team was more active in attack (25 shots), but insufficient to create real goal moments (1.39 xG). However, the bulls showed a notable execution of three shots on target out of three. Whatever positive aspects the coach extracts from the game, the team consolidates in the relegation zone.
2. Giarlino does not let himself be carried away by extremes
Two 0:3 defeats are very bad, but not a reason for Giarlino to radically change the squad. On the contrary, the coach tries to achieve a stable base of the first team, which includes the three central defenders Enrico del Prato, Mariano Troilo and Diego Carlos Santos. In midfield, the base is Giovanni Fabbian, Mandela Keita and Adrián Bernabe. In attack, there are more rotations, but for now he trusts El-Bilal Toure, along with David Romero, Simone Lontani, Matia Frigan and Nesta Elfje (when he recovers from injury).
3. "Parma" cannot surprise the rival
Under Carlos Queste the main source of points was defense, now that is no longer the case. The team, in two matches, conceded six goals: only two less than in the previous five matches. In addition, the start of the season showed that the crossers were ready to be the worst version of themselves in the 2025/26 season, when the team finished third from the bottom in goals (28) and last in expected goals (36.15). Now, the Parma men also have relegation figures (four goals, 20th place) and 5.94 in xG. And let’s not forget that "Pisa" last season under Alberto Giarlino also suffered a lack of goals, but then the problem was more the lack of realization of the moments created.
Possible lineups
4-3-33-5-235
Mandas17 Taveresh25 Provshtgor37 Šutalo15 Floriani24 Taylor21 Belahya16 Fratelli10 Dzackanni14 Noslin11 Isaksson40 Corvi34 Carlos Santos37 Troilo15 del Prato27 Brichgi80 Fabbian16 Keita10 Bernabe14 Valeri9 Romero19 Toure
Trend bets
"Parma" scored at least one goal in Rome against the goalposts of "Lazio" in four of six games. IT2B 0.5 to 1.95.
Five of seven games of "Lazio" and four of five of "Parma" ended with a higher total. TB 2.5 to 1.85.
Prediction
Lazio vs Parma 24.10.2026 22:45
"Lazio" earned a record 19 points in seven rounds, placing them in the leaders’ group among "Inter" and "Roma". Few could expect so much from Gattuso after the early exit in the Italian Cup against "Mantova". But the Romans here and now look very kinetic. They do not need many moments to beat the rivals, and the last result against "Juventus" (3:0) in Turin deserves attention and recognition. And the continuation in the play with "Parma".
"Parma" now seems an easy opponent. After the arrival of Alberto Giarlino, positive thoughts are broken by results against "Inter" and "Torino" — both 0:3. Of course, Alberto does not despair and continues building the team according to his ideas, but here and now the Parma men cannot stop the highly motivated and energetic rival in Rome. A safe win for "Lazio" is expected.
Prediction: 3-1
