Parma vs Roma preview: Malen's hot streak meets a tight home side

Donyell Malen has 11 goals in 15 Serie A appearances for AS Roma, and that scoring burst is the main reason they go to Parma with a real edge. Roma are fifth on 64 points after 35 games, still in the chase for the Champions League places, while Parma sit 12th and have made themselves awkward at home. They have also lost all three meetings since returning to Serie A by an 8-1 aggregate scoreline.

How Malen has changed Roma's attack

The best line in the brief is the simplest one. Malen was described as a revelation since arriving midway through January, and the numbers back that up. Eleven goals from 15 league appearances is exactly the sort of return that changes how an away side is judged before kick-off.

Roma have scored in their last dozen league matches and are averaging 2.1 goals per game in that run. That matters because this is not a side needing one moment from nowhere. They have been producing regularly, and Malen has been at the centre of it.

The preview also points to the January signing as the likely focal point again. Mateo Pellegrino may be part of Parma's plans, but Roma's main attacking idea is clear enough: get Malen into the same areas that have already brought 11 goals.

Why Parma can still make this awkward

Parma's home form is the reason this is tighter than the league table suggests. Sports Mole note that Carlos Cuesta's side have lost just one of their last five home fixtures, and that is the sort of record that can slow down a stronger team, even one in good rhythm.

Their recent record against Roma is not flattering. Three straight meetings since Parma returned to Serie A have ended in defeat, and the aggregate scoreline is 8-1. That does not guarantee anything on Friday, but it does show why Roma will not be treating this like a routine away day.

This is the key tension in the fixture. Roma have the sharper attack, led by Malen's early output, while Parma have enough recent home resistance to stop the game from opening up too quickly. If Roma control it, the form line says they should get chances. If Parma keep it compact, the visitors may need another efficient night from their January forward.

Roma arrive with the better attacking numbers and the stronger individual form, and that is why they should have enough. But Parma's home results mean the margin for error is not large. If Malen keeps scoring at the same rate, Roma are well placed to stay in the top-four race when they leave Parma.