BETTING GUIDE: Cagliari vs AC Milan,match preview, team news and betting tip
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 01.01.26. | 19:31
This league encounter arrives at a crucial point of the season, particularly for the visitors, who remain firmly in the Scudetto race, while Cagliari continue their fight to create distance from the relegation zone
The first Serie A fixture of the new year sees Cagliari host AC Milan at the Unipol Domus Stadium in Cagliari, with kickoff scheduled for Friday night.
This league encounter arrives at a crucial point of the season, particularly for the visitors, who remain firmly in the Scudetto race, while Cagliari continue their fight to create distance from the relegation zone.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
Cagliari come into the match sitting 14th in the table with 18 points from 17 games, six points clear of the bottom three.
Their season has been inconsistent, but they ended 2025 on a positive note with a valuable 2-1 away victory over Torino.
That win was only their fourth of the campaign, yet it provided confidence and breathing space heading into the new year.
Across their last five matches in all competitions, Cagliari have scored seven goals and conceded seven, reflecting their tendency to remain competitive without fully controlling games.
Half of their total points have come at home, although recent form at the Unipol Domus has been concerning, with only one win in their last six home league matches.
Defensively, Cagliari have struggled for clean sheets, managing just one in their last six outings, while both teams have scored in five of those matches.
Injuries and absences remain a challenge, with: Andrea Belotti, Ze Pedro, Mattia Felici and Michael Folorunsho unavailable, while Zito Luvumbo is away on AFCON duty.
On a positive note, Juan Rodriguez and Yerry Mina return, while Semih Kılıçsoy, who has scored in back-to-back games, is expected to lead the attack, supported by Gianluca Gaetano or Sebastiano Esposito.
AC Milan arrive in Sardinia in second place with 35 points from 16 matches, just one point behind leaders Inter Milan.
The Rossoneri closed out 2025 strongly with a commanding 3-0 home win over Hellas Verona, despite earlier disappointment in the Super Cup and Coppa Italia.
Milan’s league form has been impressive overall, losing just once all season and going unbeaten in their last 15 Serie A matches.
In their last five games, they have scored eight goals and conceded seven, but their defensive solidity remains a key strength across the campaign.
Away from home, Milan have been exceptional.
They are the only unbeaten side on the road in Serie A this season, a record that significantly strengthens their case here.
Team news is mixed, with Matteo Gabbia and Santiago Gimenez still sidelined, while Rafael Leão is racing to regain full fitness.
Christian Pulisic, Milan’s top scorer with eight league goals, is expected to play a central role alongside Christopher Nkunku in attack, supported by the experience of Luka Modrić and the authority of Mike Maignan at the back.
Historically, this fixture strongly favours Milan. Cagliari are winless in the last 15 meetings, while the Rossoneri have won four of their last five visits to Sardinia.
Goals have been a recurring feature, with both teams scoring in five of the last two head-to-head encounters.
Key Betting Pointers;
Milan won four of their last five visits to Cagliari.
Milan have only lost once in the league this season and won 10.
Cagliari lost four times in their last 10 matches, winning only twice.
Cagliari are winless in five of their last six home matches and lost three.
With Milan fully focused on the title race and boasting an outstanding away record, this looks like another difficult night for Cagliari.
The hosts may compete, but Milan’s quality, discipline, and historical dominance in this fixture should prevail.
Prediction; AC Milan to win
Disclaimer: Whilst we do our utmost to offer good advice and information, we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling
.jpg)
