Starting the engine or kicking a stunted machine into life?

Inter’s season has reached a pivotal moment, and for coach Chivu, the pressure is mounting. Back-to-back defeats against Udinese and Juventus have left the Nerazzurri with little room for error, making Saturday’s trip to Sardinia to face Cagliari a must-win clash. Kickoff is set for 9:45 PM and all eyes will be on the predictions and odds for this crucial Serie A matchup.

Inter arrive in Cagliari riding the momentum of consecutive wins over Ajax in the Champions League and Sassuolo in the league, but the earlier setbacks have slowed their pursuit of the Scudetto. With just six points compared to Napoli’s 12 after four matchdays, Chivu’s side cannot afford to drop points again. A victory in Sardinia is essential to keep their title hopes alive.

Captain Lautaro Martinez is set to return after two injury-enforced absences, and youngster Pio Esposito, who was promoted despite failing to find the net, will likely come off the bench. Expect Inter to adopt an aggressive approach, with Martinez pairing up front with Thuram in a bid to break down Cagliari’s defenses.

Cagliari, under new coach Pisacane, have been one of the surprises of the season so far. After a 4-1 Coppa Italia defeat to Frosinone, the Rossoblu have otherwise only lost once in the league, a narrow defeat at Napoli in the dying minutes.

Pisacane has forged a team capable of defending stoutly while transitioning quickly into attack, and Andrea Belotti’s brace against Lecce has boosted the squad’s confidence and boldness. Sitting on seven points, Cagliari have already created a gap over the teams hovering near the relegation zone, making them a formidable opponent at home.

Saturday promises an intense showdown: Inter fighting to regain ground in the title race, and Cagliari aiming to prove that they can match any team in the league with both resilience and flair.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 5

Saturday

16.00: (1.48) Como (4.20) Cremonese (7.25)

19.00: (1.90) Juventus (3.70) Atalanta (4.30)

21.45: (5.90) Cagliari (4.00) Inter (1.58)

Sunday

13.30: (2.35) Sassuolo (3.40) Udinese (3.25)

16.00: (3.45) Pisa (3.30) Fiorentina (2.30)

16.00: (1.45) Roma (4.20) Verona (8.00)

19.00: (3.80) Lecce (3.20) Bologna (2.10)

21.45: (2.40) Milan (3.40) Napoli (3.20)

Monday

19.30: (2.35) Parma (3.35) Torino (3.30)

21.45: (3.00) Genoa (3.15) Lazio (2.50)

***odds are subject to change***