SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Man City vs. Real Madrid: 4 hrs 47 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
CL
Cagliari logo
Serie A | Gameweek 38
May 22, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
Stadio Sant'Elia
GL
Genoa logo

Cagliari
0 - 1
Genoa


Carboni (77')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Shomurodov (15')
Behrami (51'), Melegoni (64'), Strootman (90+4')
Behrami (83')

Preview: Cagliari vs. Genoa - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Cagliari vs. Genoa - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Serie A clash between Cagliari and Genoa, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Two sides made to battle for Serie A salvation despite loftier expectations meet on Saturday, as Cagliari celebrate safety by welcoming Genoa to the Sardegna Arena.

While the visitors' much-improved second half of the season ultimately kept them afloat, their final-day hosts only secured top-flight survival last weekend.


Match preview

Preview: Cagliari vs. Genoa - prediction, team news, lineups

Having already seen their continued presence in Serie A confirmed by the failures of Benevento and Torino last weekend, Cagliari were able to play without pressure as they held top-four contenders Milan to a goalless draw at San Siro.

That result took their unbeaten run to seven games in all - starting with a miraculous comeback versus Parma last month - in a spell during which they have gleaned 15 points from a possible 21. Along with high-flyers Napoli and Atalanta, Leonardo Semplici's men are one of only three teams to go without defeat in that period.

With a win on Saturday, then, the Isolani could even leapfrog mid-table opponents Genoa to finish on 40 points and give a little gloss to their otherwise disappointing campaign.

Precedent is certainly in the Sardinians' favour, as Cagliari have won six of their last eight home games against the Ligurian side - making them the team against which they have picked up the most home wins in Serie A since 2012.

However, after a brief but vital flurry in the preceding weeks, Cagliari have returned to their previously goal-shy ways in the past fortnight - having drawn their last two league games without scoring - so will hope for one final flourish from 16-goal top scorer and captain Joao Pedro to help them finish on a high.

Genoa coach Davide Ballardini returns two his two-time former employers this weekend, having fulfilled his current club's mid-season goal of avoiding the drop.

The Grifone ultimately ensured their Serie A survival with success in Bologna just over a week ago, but had looked likely to retain their place in the elite for quite some time, thanks to their revival under the well-travelled tactician.

In his fourth turn as Genoa boss - having taken the reins again last December - Ballardini has proved a success, breathing fresh life into a squad that looked doomed under predecessor Rolando Maran.

An eventful 4-3 defeat at home to Atalanta last time out - with a much-changed and injury-affected starting XI - may have ended the Rossoblu's faint hopes of a top-half finish, but they could possibly conclude their campaign in 12th place with a win at the Sardegna Arena.

Journeying south in the knowledge that they have won both of their last two encounters with Cagliari by the same 1-0 scoreline should give Genoa added confidence ahead of the game, particularly with forwards Eldor Shomurodov and Goran Pandev running into form at the end of a long season - with the former hitting the net four times in his last five appearances.

Cagliari Serie A form:
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • D

Genoa Serie A form:
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L



Team News

With survival secured, Leonardo Semplici could be tempted to make changes to his starting lineup on the final day of the season, with defensive pair Daniele Rugani and Ragnar Klavan in contention for a place in Cagliari's probable back three. The participation of Sebastian Walukiewicz (back) and Arturo Calabresi (thigh), however, remains in doubt.

Meanwhile, in-demand midfielder Nahitan Nandez should again feature on the right flank, while veteran Kwadwo Asamoah will be hoping to pip current incumbent Charalampos Lykogiannis to start on the opposite side.

In the centre, Razvan Marin, Alfred Duncan and Alessandro Deiola are competing for two places behind Radja Nainggolan, who once more supports Leonardo Pavoletti and Joao Pedro up front.

Visitors Genoa may still have Domenico Criscito, Luca Pellegrini and Lennart Czyborra all sidelined due to injury this weekend, while Davide Biraschi recently saw his season ended due to a groin tear. Therefore, experienced centre-back Cristian Zapata will be considered for a rare start, though Jerome Onguene was given the nod last time out.

Davide Ballardini has several available options up front, though, as Marko Pjaca and Eldor Shomurodov started versus Atalanta and leading goalscorer Mattia Destro awaits a chance to embellish his final tally. Goran Pandev may even be handed a place in the XI, but targetman Gianluca Scamacca is set to be out injured once again.

Cagliari possible starting lineup:
Cragno; Ceppitelli, Godin, Rugani; Nandez, Marin, Duncan, Lykogiannis; Nainggolan; Joao Pedro, Pavoletti

Genoa possible starting lineup:
Perin; Goldaniga, Zapata, Masiello; Ghiglione, Zajc, Rovella, Strootman, Zappacosta; Shomurodov, Destro


We say: Cagliari 2-1 Genoa

Cagliari can sneak ahead of their visitors in the final standings by extending their unbeaten run to an eighth game, as with the pressure off, they can demonstrate the best of a talented squad.

As Genoa's injury woes have destabilised their defence, even a toiling Isolani attack can take advantage and reach the magical 40 points mark.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Draw:curl



body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__448075 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-06-05 12:46:45:
html db last update - 2024-06-05 12:46:45 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Leeds, West Ham to rival Serie A trio for Nandez?
"I have to be careful what I say": Salah's ex-teammate drops Liverpool bombshell
From Arne to Arteta: Which Liverpool attacker could Arsenal make shock move for?
Sunday's Serie A predictions including Napoli vs. Udinese
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Napoli24174339172255
2Inter Milan24166258233554
3Atalanta BCAtalanta24155454262850
4Lazio24143745321345
5Juventus241013141212043
6Fiorentina24126641251642
7AC Milan23108535241138
8Bologna2391133527838
9Roma249783529634
10Udinese2486102937-830
11Torino2461082528-328
12Genoa246992233-1127
13CagliariCagliari2466122639-1324
14Lecce2466121841-2324
15Hellas VeronaHellas Verona2472152653-2723
16Como2457122840-1222
17Empoli2449112235-1321
18Parma2448123044-1420
19VeneziaVenezia2437142239-1716
20Monza2427152139-1813
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

The worst-kept secret is out: Arsenal's first summer transfer confirmed!

1

TW
The worst-kept secret is out: Arsenal's first summer transfer confirmed!

Man City star set for 'showdown talks' over future as summer exit looms

NEW

2

MC
Man City star set for 'showdown talks' over future as summer exit looms

"I have to be careful what I say": Salah's ex-teammate drops Liverpool bombshell

3

&H
"I have to be careful what I say": Salah's ex-teammate drops Liverpool bombshell

Man United, Barcelona learn Mateta asking price as Lyon 'controversy' emerges

4

MU
Man United, Barcelona learn Mateta asking price as Lyon 'controversy' emerges

Badiashile, Jackson boost? Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Brighton

5

BJ
Badiashile, Jackson boost? Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Brighton

Man United monitoring £60m Premier League star 'very closely'

6

MU
Man United monitoring £60m Premier League star 'very closely'

Tuesday's Champions League predictions including Man City vs. Real Madrid

7

TC
Tuesday's Champions League predictions including Man City vs. Real Madrid

Chelsea leading race for 'Swedish Messi', but are Blues failing to address glaring issue?

8

CL
Chelsea leading race for 'Swedish Messi', but are Blues failing to address glaring issue?

Tuesday's Championship predictions including Watford vs. Leeds

9

TC

Could Chelsea's 'limitless' budget help Blues secure club-record transfer?

10

CC
1x1


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .