The Serie A action continues tonight, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as league leaders Inter Milan travel to the Stadio Ennio Tardini to face Parma. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT).
With the Scudetto race tightening into a five-horse race, every point is vital. Cristian Chivu’s Inter currently sits just one point ahead of rivals AC Milan and two ahead of Napoli. For Carlos Cuesta’s Parma, tonight is about survival and building on a recent stretch of defensive resilience.
Match Details: Kick-off & Official Info
Competition: Serie A (Matchday 19)
Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Kick-off: 20:45 CET / 19:45 GMT / 14:45 ET
Venue: Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma
Referee: Andrea Colombo
Broadcast: Sky Italia, DAZN (Italy), Paramount+ (US), TNT Sports (UK)
The Storyline: Chivu’s Homecoming vs. Parma’s Resistance
Inter Milan: Chasing Six in a Row
Inter enters 2026 in imperious form. Their 3–1 victory over Bologna on Sunday marked their fifth consecutive Serie A win. Under Cristian Chivu—who returned to the club as head coach after a successful stint managing Parma’s youth ranks—the Nerazzurri have developed the league's most potent attack, netting 38 goals in 17 matches.
The primary threat remains Lautaro Martínez, who has scored in five consecutive league games. If he finds the net tonight, he will become the first Inter player since 2007 to score in six straight matches. With a massive title showdown against Napoli looming next weekend, Inter will be desperate to avoid a "trap game" in Emilia-Romagna.
Parma: The Low-Scoring Specialists
Parma currently sits 15th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone. While they have struggled for goals—their 12 strikes are a joint league-low—their defensive organization has improved significantly. Carlos Cuesta’s side has picked up seven points from their last four games, including a gutsy 1–1 draw with Sassuolo on Saturday.
The Gialloblu have been "draw specialists" at home, and while they are heavy underdogs, the return of former Inter striker Ange-Yoan Bonny (now playing for Inter but potentially facing his old club) adds a layer of narrative irony to the fixture.
Team News & Probable Lineups
Parma Team News
Missing: Zion Suzuki and Matija Frigan remain sidelined with long-term injuries. Abdoulaye N'Diaye is also unlikely to feature due to fitness concerns.
The Goal Threat: All eyes are on 24-year-old striker Mateo Pellegrino, who scored the equalizer against Sassuolo and has reportedly attracted interest from Premier League clubs this January.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Corvi; Del Prato, Circati, Valenti; Britschgi, Bernabé, Keita, Valeri; Sørensen, Ondrejka; Pellegrino.
Inter Milan Team News
Injury Boost: Ange-Yoan Bonny and Andy Diouf have both recovered from minor knocks and have traveled with the squad.
Absentees: Denzel Dumfries is still out. Matteo Darmian, Tomas Palacios, and Davide Frattesi did not travel as they continue their recovery.
Rotation: With the Napoli game on the horizon, Chivu may rest Marcus Thuram, potentially giving a start to youngster Francesco Pio Esposito.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Carlos Augusto; Henrique, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Zieliński, Dimarco; Lautaro Martínez, Pio Esposito.
Head-to-Head (H2H) & Key Stats
Unbeaten Run: Inter is unbeaten in their last eight games against Parma (W5, D3).
High Scoring History: The last six meetings between these two sides have all seen Over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring.
The "Tardini" Balance: Since 2000, meetings at this stadium have been perfectly split: 7 wins for Parma, 7 for Inter, and 5 draws.
Creative Spark: Inter’s Federico Dimarco has created more clear-cut chances (16) than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
Tactical Analysis: Patience vs. The Counter
Inter will likely dominate possession (averaging 59% this season) and look to utilize Dimarco’s elite crossing. However, Parma has become adept at sitting in a deep mid-block and frustrating elite opposition, as seen in their recent win over Fiorentina.
The key battle will be in the wide areas. If Parma’s wing-backs can pin back Henrique and Dimarco, Inter may be forced to play through a congested middle. However, the form of Zieliński and Çalhanoğlu suggests Inter has the creative tools to unpick even the most stubborn locks.
Match Prediction
Parma will make it difficult and will likely keep the score low in the first half. However, Inter's superior depth and the clinical form of Lautaro Martínez should be enough to secure a professional away victory.
Final Score Prediction: Parma 0–2 Inter Milan
