FOOTBALL: Parma set to provide form check on Roma

ITALIAN PREVIEW

LEEDS FANS get a chance to assess Roma, their club's Uefa Cup fourth-round opponents, when the Roman club, undefeated at the Tardini since a 1-0 defeat in 1994, visit Parma in Channel 4's live game tomorrow.

Roma knocked Leeds out of the Uefa Cup last season and although progressive Leeds will fancy their chances a year down the line, Roma have not stood still either. Under Fabio Capello, their new coach, Roma lie third in the Italian league, have conceded just 12 goals in 13 league matches and on Wednesday they reached the quarter- finals of the Coppa Italia.

Roma are exciting to watch going forward. Marco Delvecchio, their excellent predatory striker, gets able support from Vincenzo Montella and playmaker Francesco Totti. At the back Cafu, their Brazilian full-back, often makes exciting incursions down the right flank.

Parma, on target to meet Arsenal in the Uefa Cup quarter- finals, have inexplicably broken up the squad who won that trophy and the Coppa Italia last term, selling, among others, Juan Sebastian Veron, Enrico Chiesa, Abel Balbo and Nestor Sensini and making 16 signings, including the Brazilian striker Marcio Amoroso for pounds 24m from Udinese, who promptly picked up an injury.

However, after a dismal start to the season, Parma have bounced back. Last week's 2-0 win at Venezia left them in fourth place in Serie A, although they were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Cagliari on Wednesday. Hernan Crespo, their underrated Argentinian striker, is the leading goalscorer in Serie A.

FIXTURES (league positions in brackets): This afternoon: Verona (14) v Venezia (17). Tonight: Bari (7) v Internazionale (5). Tomorrow afternoon: Cagliari (18) v Lecce (11); Lazio (1) v Piacenza (15); Milan (6) v Reggina (16); Parma (4) v Roma (3); Perugia (10) v Bologna (8); Torino (13) v Udinese (12). Tomorrow night: Fiorentina v Juventus.