Cagliari - Torino predictions and free betting tips [26/01/2024]

On the 26th of January, in the 22nd round of the Italian Serie A, Cagliari will host Torino. Having succumbed to the Frosinone a week ago, Claudio Ranieri's charges have dropped to 17th place in the league standings, while the "bulls" haven't known defeat in 2024.

Stadium

The match will take place in Cagliari at the Unipol Domus stadium.

Cagliari

Cagliari is battling this season to avoid relegation from the top-flight division, currently sitting at 17th place in the league standings, a point above the drop zone. Claudio Ranieri's men were promoted last year after a campaign in Serie B. Recently, the Sardinians ended a four-match winless run (2 draws and 2 defeats) with a surprise 2-1 victory over Bologna. Unfortunately for the club's fans, the red-blues failed to repeat the success over the weekend: leading at the break, Cagliari capitulated in the second half and surrendered 3:1 to Frosinone. However, it's worth noting that the home side have collected points in 7 out of 10 rounds, scoring 13 goals and conceding 16. 

Cagliari will be missing their main forward, Luwombo (3 goals and 2 assists), who is currently on duty with the Angolan national team at the Africa Cup of Nations. In addition, holding midfielder Rog, experienced Mansosu (35 years old), and promising Shomurodov and Oristanio are out. On the bright side, Peruvian Gianluca Lapadula recently returned from injury and could now bolster the attack in the second half coming off the bench. Young Ghanaian midfielder Sulemana (20), who scored last weekend, is expected to start. In transfer news, attacking midfielder Pereyra has moved to Ternana (Serie B) in search of more playing time.

Torino

Formerly accustomed to languishing in the lower half of the league table, Torino currently sits in 10th place in the Serie A standings, just five points out of European competition. Having suffered only one defeat in their last 7 rounds, with 3 wins and 3 draws, Ivan Juric's side has been in good form this winter - their sole setback coming against Fiorentina (1:0). Torino went on to thrash Napoli (3:0) before drawing a blank against Genoa (0:0). However, the "Bulls" have not celebrated a win on the road since October, when they triumphed over Lecce, and in four of the five subsequent games, they failed to even score a goal. Due to such results, Torino ranks only 11th in away points gained (9 in ten matches). 

Torino will be missing their main defender Schyurs. In addition, Soppi and Radonjic are still training individually. However, forward Karamoh might be available for the upcoming match. With only 18 goals conceded, Torino holds the 3rd place in Serie A for defensive solidity, thanks in large part to experienced centre-back Buongiorno. Following a two-week break due to Lazio's participation in the Italian Super Cup, the coaching staff can count on their charges' optimal physical condition. The attacking trio will likely comprise Vlasic (2 goals and 2 assists), Zapata (4 goals and 3 assists), and Sanabria (3 goals). In transfer news: this winter, N'Goussan (defender) and Sek (winger) moved to Ternana and Frosinone respectively on loan.

Head-to-Head

The goalless draw in the first round in August marked the third consecutive head-to-head encounter between these teams in which Torino failed to come out on top.

Match prediction for Cagliari - Torino

Claudio Ranieri has lost just four of his 18 career managerial matches against Torino - and none since 1995. His charges are motivated by the fight for survival and must collect points on Friday, especially considering Torino's recent poor away performances. Torino won just once in their previous eight matches against the Sardinians, so my prediction is a handicap (0) for the home team.

Total goals prediction

Backed by the home crowd, Cagliari scores 1.3 goals per game, while Torino has conceded 12 times in 10 away matches. It is reasonable to bet on Cagliari's individual total over 1.5 goals.