Cagliari - Napoli predictions and free betting tips [25/02/2024]

On Sunday, the 25th of February, as part of the 26th round of the Italian Serie A, Cagliari will host Napoli on their home pitch. While Francesco Calzone's charges managed to salvage a draw in the opening 1/8 final of the Champions League against Barcelona, the Islanders are lingered in the relegation zone, bereft of any wins for five sequential matches. 

Predicted Line-ups

Cagliari: Scuffet; Zappa, Mina, Dossena, Augello; Nandez, Makoumbou, Jankto, Luvumbo; Gaetano; Lapadula.
Napoli: Meret; Mazzocchi, Rrahmani, Jesus, Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Traore; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.  

Stadium

The clash will play out in Cagliari at the Unipol Domus stadium.

Cagliari

Cagliari, currently lodged in dire straits after their return to the elite division, is presently in the 19th place in Serie A, straggling in arrears of the critically important 17th spot by one point. Claudio Ranieri's squad is crystallised in stagnation, having only won one out of the last 10 matches, thrice settling for draw and succumbing 6 times.

Following four consecutive losses against Frosinone, Torino, Roma, and Lazio, Cagliari snatched a draw away against direct rivals for survival – Udinese (1:1), with the loaned Napoli player Gianluca Gaetano distinguishing himself with a goal. The upcoming March matches against Empoli and Salernitana could potentially delineate the fate of the tricoloured squad, although, after an exemplary series of four wins and two draws at home, the hosts lost their last two matches on Sardinian land. 

Napoli

One of the season's biggest disappointments in Italy – Napoli – is utterly trashing the current campaign. The reigning national champions have practically forfeited the chance of breaking through into the Champions League quarterfinal (trailing the fourth-placed Bologna by 13 points), but can still harbour hopes for a spot in the following season's European cup (trailing the sixth place by 5 points). Furthermore, the Southerners have emerged triumphant from just 2 of the last 8 matches, managing to scramble for a draw thrice and capitulating thrice. After a loss to Milan (1:0), the white and blues tied 1:1 with Genoa at home last weekend.

This led to the sacking of the head coach Walter Mazzarri, who was inducted midway through the season. Under the leadership of Francesco Calzone, Napoli held Barcelona to a draw in the first match of the Champions League 1/8 finals (1:1): Victor Osimhen returned the favour in the second-half for Robert Lewandowski's goal. It is noteworthy that the Azzurri have remained barren across five away matches before their expedition to Sardinia – a catastrophe for a club of this calibre. Napoli's line-up omits captain Di Lorenzo, who was booked with a yellow card last round. 

Head to Head

Cagliari has only bested Napoli in one of the last 25 matches, losing 17 times. Additionally, the first-round encounter ended in a climactic 2:1 victory for the white and blues.

Match Forecast: Cagliari vs Napoli

The draw against Barcelona should instil some confidence in the visiting squad, and the managerial shuffle should invigorate the players. The Neapolitans urgently need to accumulate points, or else they run the risk of forfeiting a spot in the European Cup next season. Cagliari has been running a temperature lately, remaining starved of victories throughout the latest five rounds. My forecast – a Napoli victory.

Total Forecast

With Osimhen back in action, Napoli should regain much-needed firepower upfront; plus, the options of Kvaratskhelia, Simeone, Politano, and Raspadori are still available. I place my stakes on Napoli's individual total over 1.5 goals.

Corners Forecast

Napoli averages 6.2 corners per game, and against a compactly defending Cagliari, attacking from the flanks should be substantial. I am waiting for at least five corners delivered by the visiting squad.

Booking Forecast

Cagliari racks up merely 1.9 yellow cards per game, Napoli marginally more than 2. I confidently bet on the total bookings under 3.5.

Score Forecast

I place my wager on the exact score 1:2 in the favour of Napoli.