Preview: Cagliari vs Lazio – prediction, team news, lineups

Much nearer in Serie A than both aspect would anticipate, Cagliari and Lazio will conflict in Sardinia on Saturday night.

The hosts solely path their capital-metropolis guests by 5 factors, and they’re going to now goal to beat the Biancocelesti for the primary time in 12 years.

Match preview

Cagliari have taken strides in the direction of security for the reason that begin of 2026, with consecutive victories over Juventus, Fiorentina and Hellas Verona placing them heading in the right direction for a fourth straight season in Italy’s high tier.

However, that run was halted by a latest 2-0 defeat to Roma, earlier than the Isolani suffered a disappointing house loss to Lecce on Monday night.

Posting again-to-again defeats for simply the second time this time period, Fabio Pisacane’s aspect have been overwhelmed 2-0 once more, leaving them a little bit nearer to the relegation zone.

Nonetheless, Cagliari sit 4 factors above seventeenth-positioned Lecce and have a seven-level cushion to the underside three, whereas they’ll nonetheless doubtlessly contend for a uncommon high-half end.

Closing the hole to Lazio would assist in that respect, however the Rossoblu are winless in 21 Serie A matches towards their Roman rivals, following a 2-0 loss in November’s reverse fixture.

© Imago / IPA Sport

Home or away, Lazio’s final league defeat towards Cagliari dates again to May 2013; since then, they’ve received eight occasions and drawn twice on Sardinian soil.

Despite that spectacular report, they are going to make this go to amid a dismal high-flight marketing campaign that might see them miss out on Europe for a second straight 12 months.

Lazio occupy ninth place on 33 factors – simply 5 above their hosts – and lie 9 shy of a possible Conference League qualifying spot, after dropping to a direct rival final week.

Maurizio Sarri’s males have been overwhelmed 2-0 by Atalanta BC at a sparsely populated Stadio Olimpico, that means they’ve now received simply certainly one of their final seven house fixtures in Serie A.

Soon set to satisfy La Dea once more in the Coppa Italia semi-finals – with the primary leg happening early subsequent month – the Biancocelesti’s finest hope of salvaging one other sub-par season could lie within the cup.

While Sarri’s aspect have not too long ago struggled in Rome – repeated fan protests absolutely taking part in a component – they’re proving far more spectacular on the highway.

Lazio could have scored the joint-fewest away targets – simply eight up to now – however additionally they share high spot by way of targets conceded (9) and their final away loss was in November, towards AC Milan at San Siro.

Cagliari Serie A kind:

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Lazio Serie A kind:

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Lazio kind (all competitions):

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Team News

© Imago / IPA Sport

Cagliari are nonetheless with out lengthy-time period absentees Andrea Belotti and Mattia Felici – plus Gennaro Borrelli and Alessandro Deiola – however Michael Folorunsho might be again within the fold this weekend.

A graduate of Lazio’s youth system, the midfielder’s return is properly-timed, as Gianluca Gaetano has sustained a thigh damage and could also be lacking for the subsequent three weeks.

Semih Kilicsoy – the Rossoblu’s 4-aim high scorer in Serie A – ought to characteristic up entrance, after veteran striker Leonardo Pavoletti was surprisingly handed a uncommon begin on Monday.

Meanwhile, wing-again Marco Palestra – the league’s most fouled participant – has 5 aim involvements this time period and is being thought of for an Italy name-up forward of the World Cup playoffs.

Lazio can recall skilled defender Alessio Romagnoli, who served a suspension towards Atalanta, however they nonetheless have some key males lacking: Pedro, Manuel Lazzari and Mario Gila are all unavailable, whereas captain Mattia Zaccagni is wanting full health.

Toma Basic is anticipated to return, although, and he could take Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s place in midfield if thought of prepared to start out.

Up entrance, Daniel Maldini ought to proceed to play as a false 9, with Sarri preferring the January signing to Petar Ratkov and Boulaye Dia.

Cagliari attainable beginning lineup:

Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Ze Pedro; Palestra, Adopo, Sulemana, Mazzitelli, Obert; Esposito, Kilicsoy

Lazio attainable beginning lineup:

Provedel; Marusic, Romagnoli, Provstgaard, Pellegrini; Basic, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Noslin

We say: Cagliari 1-1 Lazio

Neither team is especially prolific, so it might be a low-scoring contest in Sardinia.

While Lazio are having fun with their travels greater than taking part in at a close to-empty Olimpico, hosts Cagliari can eke out a treasured level.

For knowledge evaluation of the most definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.