Cagliari welcome Inter Milan to Unipol Domus for an Italian Serie A clash on Saturday. The hosts have made a bright start to the season but could face a tough task against the Nerazzurri, who are looking to build on a win last time out.
Cagliari head into Saturday's clash off the back of a 2-1 victory at Lecce last time out in Serie A. They fought back from a goal down, with efforts in each half from Andrea Belotti earning them the win.
That was the second straight win for Cagliari, who also earned a 2-0 victory over Parma in their previous home fixture. They followed up both results with a 4-1 home win over Frosinone in a midweek Coppa Italia fixture.
Inter Milan are also coming off a victory, picking up a 2-1 win over Sassuolo in their previous Serie A fixture. Frederico Dimarco opened the scoring in the first half, while a late own-goal from Tarik Muharemovic ensured they claimed the win.
The Nerazzurri appear to be picking up their form after a slow start to the season. Prior to the win over Sassuolo, Cristian Chivu’s team claimed a 2-0 victory at Ajax in the UEFA Champions League.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Inter
Inter Milan have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 6/10 by BoyleSports. A victory for Cagliari is valued at 15/4, while a draw is set at odds of 14/5.
Head to head: Total control for Inter
Inter Milan have a 26-5 advantage, with 11 draws from 42 previous matches against Cagliari. The Nerazzurri are also unbeaten in the last 10 meetings and secured a 3-0 victory in last season’s away clash.
Players to watch: Thuram to find the net
Marcus Thuram has made a fine start to the season, with three goals in four Serie A matches. The striker will be the one to watch on Saturday and will be keen to maintain his scoring run (Marcus Thuram anytime goalscorer – priced at 6/4 with BoyleSports).
Belotti netted a brace for Cagliari last time out and will be keen to go in a scoring run. He could be worth keeping an eye on for the hosts to find the net on Saturday (Andrea Belotti anytime goalscorer – valued at odds of 7/2).
Probable line-ups:
Boris Radunovic, Zito Luvumbo and Gabriele Zappa are out for Cagliari due to injury. However, Elia Caprile is expected to start in goal, with Yerry Mina and Sebastiano Luperto in defence, while Sebastiano Esposito and Belotti should line up in attack.
Inter Milan have no injury worries and could retain much of the team that beat Sassuolo. Manuel Akanji should start in defence, with Nicolo Barella set to feature in midfield, while Thuram and Lautaro Martinez are expected to lead the line.
Cagliari: Caprile, Palestra, Mina, Luperto, Obert, Adopo, Prati, Folorunsho, Esposito, Deiola, Belotti
Inter Milan: Sommer, Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dumfries, Susic, Calhanoglu, Barella, Dimarco, Thuram, Martinez
Anything else catch the eye?
Five of the last six matches between Cagliari and Inter Milan have produced over 2.5 goals – valued at 3/4 with BoyleSports. Both teams have scored in two of the last three meetings (BTTS YES – offered at odds of 3/4).
Inter Milan have scored over 1.5 goals in the last six matches against Cagliari (Inter Milan over 1.5 goals – set at odds of 6/10).
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