Parma - Lazio preview - Parma desperate to avoid defeat

Struggling Parma will look to avoid suffering their fourth straight defeat when they host Lazio on Sunday afternoon.

The Ducale club have won just one of their last 12 league games and lie at the foot of the Serie A standings, five points adrift of safety.

Last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Palermo was another psychological blow for Roberto Donadoni's men, who nevertheless put on a good display.

"We must leave behind our defeat in Palermo and concentrate on taking a positive result against Lazio," Parma captain Alessandro Lucarelli told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"To lose game after game is demoralising for the players.

"But the team has to start gaining confidence and believe in its quality if we are to come out of this situation.

"Now we have two games at home and we must take advantage and get as many points as possible.

"No one is giving up. Until May 30, we will all give our all to achieve our aim."

Parma will need to show a vast improvement at both ends of the pitch.

The Gialloblu have conceded 32 goals while they have found the back of the net just once in their last three encounters.

Lazio head into the encounter at the Stadio Ennio Tardini without pivotal midfielder Antonio Candreva.

The Italy international, who has scored two goals and set up another seven in his 13 league starts so far, sustained a left thigh injury during last weekend's goalless draw at Chievo.

The Romans halted a three-match winless run in Tuesday's 3-0 home triumph over Varese, a result that saw them progress to the last 16 of the Coppa Italia.

Lazio coach Stefano Pioli will be hoping his side can give continuity to that performance.

The Biancocelesti are seventh in the standings, three points adrift of third-placed Napoli, and seek their third win on the road at Parma.

The hosts are without Brazilian defender Felipe, who must serve a one-match ban.