AC Milan - Cagliari predictions and free betting tips [11/05/2024]

On Saturday, 11th May, in the frame of the 36th round of the Italian Serie A, AC Milan is set to host Cagliari. While the Rossoneri defends their second place in the league table, the Sardinians are battling for survival, only three points ahead of the relegation zone.  

AC Milan

Though AC Milan was quickly eliminated from the Scudetto race this season, the club has solidly clung to the 2nd place in Serie A table. With an 11-point lead over sixth-placed Roma with three games left, Champions League qualification is virtually guaranteed. The Rossoneri, after a run of positive results, have looked less confident recently. They failed to win any of their last 4 league games (3 draws and 1 defeat). Having fumbled against Inter, who clinched the championship titled that day (1:2), Stefano Pioli's charges thereafter shared points with Juventus (0:0) and Genoa the past weekend (3:3). Goals by Matteo Gabbia and Olivier Giroud took the hosts ahead, yet the Griffins responded with precise hits by Retegi and Ekuban.

AC Milan conceded five goals in their last two home matches - as many as they did in the preceding ten; with the number of points earned at home, the Rossoneri rank only 4th overall (36 points in 17 encounters, 30 goals scored, 13 conceded). This weekend, AC Milan will miss several key players: Goalkeeper Maignan, key midfielder Loftus-Cheek (6 goals), and experienced centre-back Kjaer are injured. On a positive note, Calabria is back in action after suspension, same as versatile Musakh. After five scoreless games, Olivier Giroud (14 goals and 8 assists) shook the opponent's net again last round and is likely to lead the attack line; he should get support from wingers Pulisic (10 goals and 7 assists) and Leao (7 goals and 8 assists).

Cagliari

Having returned to the elite division last summer, Cagliari, as expected, is scrapping for survival. Right now, the Sardinians are 15th in the Serie A table, only 3 points clear of the relegation zone. Over the past 11 rounds, the red-blue team suffered only 2 losses with 3 wins and 6 draws. However, after Claudio Ranieri's squad barely drew with Inter and Juventus, they were less successful in their two recent outings. First, the Islanders lost in Genoa (3:0), and then played a 1:1 draw with Lecce last weekend. Yerry Mina scored his second goal in three games, but Gianluca Gaetano was soon sent off, and Krstovic restored the parity on the scoreboard in the dying minutes of the match.

The Sardinians have claimed just one away victory for the season, occupying third-bottom position on this parameter overall (just 8 points taken from 17 away duels, 11 goals for and 31 against). Key midfielder Makumbu and winger Jankto, who have not yet recovered from health problems, won't feature for Cagliari. Moreover, left-back Augello and winter recruit Gaetano (4 goals and 1 assist) are both suspended. Uzbek striker Shomurodov (3 goals and 3 assists), who came off the bench last weekend, is expected to return to the starting eleven, with experienced Gianluca Lapadula and Zito Luvumbo aiding him up front. Deiola, Sulemana and Prati will make up the midfield trio whilst Dossena and Mina will shore up the defence.

Head-to-Head

In the first round, AC Milan comfortably beat Cagliari (1:3), and in early January, Rossoneri ousted the Islanders from the Coppa Italia (4:1).

Prediction for AC Milan - Cagliari

Although AC Milan obviously slowed down ahead of the season's end and is already contemplating changes in the coaching staff, the hosts have a good chance to make amends to their fans tonight. Cagliari has a dreadful away record this campaign and is plagued with squad problems. I don't see an upset here and predict a triumph for the favourites by 1-2 goals.