AS Roma - Cagliari predictions and free betting tips [05/02/2024]

Today as part of the 23rd round of Italy's Serie A, Roma will host Cagliari on their home ground. Since Daniele De Rossi took the helm, the Giallorossi have secured several victories and moved up the Serie A standings, while the guests are battling for survival with a mere 18 points in their ledger.

Roma 

Despite mixed results, Roma still retains its chances of qualifying for the Champions League. The capital club now holds the 5th position in the Serie A standings, with a game in hand and only a point behind the 4th-placed Atalanta. José Mourinho was sacked following a 1-0 defeat against Lazio in the Coppa Italia in mid-January, and Daniele De Rossi was appointed his successor. The new manager has implemented a more attacking style of play with four defenders. In the following two rounds, the Giallorossi delighted their fans by victories over Verona (2:1) and Salernitana last Monday (1:2): Paulo Dybala successfully converted a penalty, and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini doubled the Wolves' lead. Importantly, the hosts remain undefeated at home since September. Roma also finished 2nd in its Europa League group and will soon face Feyenoord in the round of 32.

The Wolves are still without their main defender Spinazzola, midfielder Renato Sanchez, and Smalling and Abraham, who are all injured. Centre-back Ndika and forward Azmoun are still participating in the continental championships. However, Leandro Paredes has returned from suspension. Pellegrini (4 goals), who has scored in the first two matches under De Rossi, Dybala (6 goals and 6 assists), and Lukaku (9 goals) are likely to start. The giallorossi signed midfielder Baldanzi (Empoli) and left-back Angelino (RB Leipzig) during the winter window. On the other hand, returning loanees defender Viña (Flamengo) and midfielder Solbakken (Urawa Reds) immediately left the club, as did Kumbulla (Sassuolo) with Belotti (Fiorentina) on the other side.

Cagliari

Cagliari, having spent the previous season in Serie B, returned to the top flight where, as expected, it is fighting to maintain elite status. Claudio Ranieri's team occupies 18th place in the Serie A standings and has as many points as the higher-seeded Verona. The Islanders are currently out of form, with only one win, two draws and four losses in their last seven Serie A fixtures. Following a surprising victory over Bologna (2:0), they conceded to Frosinone (3:1) and Torino (1:2) last weekend. After conceding two goals in the first half, Ranieri's charges managed to answer only with a goal from Nicola Viola in the 77th minute. What’s even more alarming for the fans, the Rossoblu haven't won a single of their last 16 away games in Serie A, losing 11 of them.

Cagliari are still without midfielder Rog, 35-year-old veteran Mancosu, forward Shomurodov and key midfielder Oristán - all injured. Also out is forward Luvombo (3 goals and 2 assists), who reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with the national team of Angola. Veteran striker Viola (34 years, 3 goals and 2 assists) scored last weekend and is expected to start. In the January transfer window, Cagliari let go of midfielder Pereyra (Ternana), defenders Goldaniga (Como) and Capradossi (Lecco); in exchange, they managed to sign defender Yerry Mina (Fiorentina) and winger Gaetano (Napoli).

Head-to-head

Roma, having scored in 13 consecutive home championship matches and lost none of their last eight matches against Cagliari at the Olimpico (keeping clean sheets six times), is expected to dominate this encounter.

Prediction for the Roma - Cagliari match

Considering Roma's excellent home performance this season and Cagliari's current form, only one outcome seems plausible. Under De Rossi's leadership, the Giallorossi spirits have lifted and they are ready to jump back into the fight for the top four – and to do that, stumbling against the league's underdogs shouldn’t be an option. I expect Roma to secure a routine victory.