AS Roma vs Parma live: Where to watch Serie A match on April 2, 2014

Topics: Roma, Parma, Serie A, Antonio Cassano, Francesco Totti, TV Schedules, Live Scores, Live Stream

After a long absence, Parma are hoping to make a return to the continental stage next season, but they will have to be on their toes against a confident Roma side.

Preview: Giallorossi take on Europa League hopefuls Parma at home in a replay match

The clash between Roma and the Crociati was scheduled to take place exactly two months ago on 2 February, only to see Mother Nature have other plans and as a result, was suspended due to a downpour. As is the case in football, both sides will play out the remainder of the game rather than restarting at the full 90, but their objectives could not be any more different.

For Rudi Garcia's men, they will be looking to keep out of range of a hungry Napoli side and ensure they keep their lock on second place and automatic Champions League qualification. Meanwhile, for Roberto Donadoni, his team, are hoping to get back on track after their impressive 17-game winning streak snapped by Juventus. Interesingly, the Bianconeri have halted their winning runs twice this season: first ending a 7-match one in the first half of the season followed by the result on 26 March.

With Atalanta nipping at their heels and resting just behind Inter, the race for a Europa League spot is quite tight and with just a handful of games remaining, any slip-ups can be quite disasterous for any team hoping to feature in European competition next season. It has been a long time coming for a side that enjoyed a fruitful period during the 1990's that saw them the UEFA Cup (now the Europa League) trophy twice in 1995 and 1999, followed by a rapid decline that resulted in them eventually relegated to Serie B during the past decade.

Coming off the heels of a 3-2 loss to Roma's city rivals Lazio on Sunday, coach Donadoni will be hoping that his players upon returning to the Stadio Olimpico for the second time in four days can put that result behind them and get back to winning ways. And Crociati fans will certainly like to see their side return to Europe after an eight year absence.

As for Roma, they would have certainly taken note of Juventus's defeat to Napoli this past Sunday. Team captain Gianluigi Buffon stated that he was "worried about the title race" and noted that "until they win [the Scudetto] the race continues to remain open." Should the Giallorossi win on Wednesday, they will be able to close the gap to eight points with seven games remaining. And whilst there is quite a ways to go between now and May, La Vecchia Signoria's loss shows that indeed the reigning Scudetto champions are not as unbeatable as one may think.

Additionally, Garcia's squad have the added benefit of not having to compete in Europe this season unlike the Turin giants, who will take on Ligue 1 side Lyon later this week in the Europa League. The coach will have pretty much a full-strength squad available to him, save for midfielder Radja Nainggolan and long-term injured trio Frederico Balzaretti, Dodo, and Kevin Strootman. In attack the evergeen Francesco Totti will be supported by Gervinho and fellow hometown boy Alessandro Florenzi.

The hosts will definitely have to be wary of Parma, in particular former Roma attacker Antonio Cassano. The 31-year-old, who departed the club under rather acrimonious circumstances back in January 2006, has been in good form for his new club and will be hopeful that his showings will be enough for Cesare Prandelli to consider him for the national team ahead of the World Cup.

Both sides have enjoyed an excellent season, so from a neutral perspective, it should be an interesting clash to watch especially as each squad are looking to gain maximum points from every game heading into the final stretch.