As Serie A approaches its twelfth game week, a crucial clash awaits between Cagliari and Genoa this Saturday in Sardinia. Both teams are struggling, with Genoa looking to escape the relegation zone and Cagliari aiming to avoid being dragged into it.
Cagliari vs. Genoa: Match Preview
Genoa comes into this match with the intention of breaking their winless streak in Sardinia, which dates back to September 2021. They have not managed to defeat Cagliari in their last three meetings. Last weekend, under the management of Daniele De Rossi, Genoa secured an important 2-1 victory over Sassuolo and fought for a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina, raising hopes of a turnaround after a rough start to the season.
Genoa’s Recent Form
Genoa is currently one point away from leaving the bottom three of the Serie A standings, sitting in 18th place. They are keen for a victory that could propel them to 15th, depending on the outcome of matches involving teams above them. The pressure is on as they look for their first win at Unipol Domus in four years.
Cagliari’s Struggles
Cagliari, on the other hand, is desperate for a change in fortune after going seven matches without a win. Their form has deteriorated significantly, with four losses in this stretch. The Sardi have suffered three consecutive defeats at home, losing to Inter Milan, Bologna, and Sassuolo, which raises concerns about their chances against Genoa.
Team News
- Cagliari: Andrea Belotti remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury. Other absentees include Giuseppe Ciocci, Alessandro Deiola, Marko Rog, and Nicola Pintus.
- Genoa: Several players are under assessment, including Jeff Ekhator and Caleb Ekuban. Leo Ostigard has been noteworthy, scoring and assisting in recent matches.
Expected Lineups
| Cagliari | Genoa |
|---|---|
| Caprile | Leali |
| Zappa | Marcandalli |
| Mina | Ostigard |
| Luperto | Vasquez |
| Palestra | Norton-Cuffy |
| Gaetano | Frendrup |
| Prati | Malinovskyi |
| Folorunsho | Martin |
| Obert | Ellertsson |
| Esposito | Vitinha |
| Borrelli | Colombo |
Predictions
The expected outcome for this match leans towards another draw, with both teams showing signs of inconsistency. With four of the last six encounters between them ending in a tie, a scoreline of 1-1 appears plausible. As Cagliari seeks to end their winless run and Genoa aims to build on their recent performances, the matchup promises to be a competitive affair.
