Cagliari vs Napoli Prediction & Betting Tips (15 September)

After a season spent at the lower level, Cagliari returned to the joys of the elite last year. As expected, the Sardinians fought to avoid the descent. They had to wait until the last day to secure 16th place in Serie A with a small point ahead of the first relegated team. At 72, coach Claudio Ranieri bowed out of this achievement. Now under the leadership of Davide Nicola, Yerry Mina's teammates are still looking for the right formula this season. Unable to win during the first 3 days, they first shared the points with Roma 0-0 and Como 1-1 before losing to Lecce 0-1. In the Italian Cup, Cagliari defeated Carrerese for their entry into the running 3-1. Italian champion in 2023, Naples had a lot of difficulty digesting this Scudetto that the club had been waiting for since 1990.

Indeed, the club experienced an eventful last financial year, marked by several changes of coach. Not at the expected level, the partners of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had to settle for a disappointing 10th place in Serie A. Deprived of the European Cup this season, they hope to bounce back under the orders of Antonio Conte, who sat on the bench this summer. The residents of San Paolo worried all the fans during the first day by losing heavily on the pitch of Hellas Verona 3-0. More reassuring then, they won against Bologna 3-0 before overcoming Parma just before the international break thanks to 2 goals scored in stoppage time 2-1. In the Italian Cup, Napoli barely beat Modena in the first round 0-0, qualifying following penalties.

Spared by injuries at the start of the season, Cagliari must this time do without the promising midfielder Prati (20 years old) who started during the first 3 days. Otherwise, it’s all hands on deck this weekend. Arriving at the club this summer, striker Piccoli (1 goal in SA) should make a 4th start in a row. Solid behind (2 goals conceded), the Sardinians are however deficient offensively (1 goal scored). This summer, left the senior defender Dossena (Como), the starting midfielders Sulemana (Atalanta) and Nandez (Al-Qadsiah) and the less important Hatzidiakos (Copenhagen), Delpupo (Saint-Truiden) and Altare (Venice). On the other hand, goalkeeper Sherri (Egnatia), defenders Luperto (Empoli) and Palomino (Atalanta), midfielders Gaetano (Naples) and Adopo (Atalanta) and attackers Zortea (Atalanta), Felici (Feralpisalo) and Piccoli (Atalanta) have arrived. There are no absences to mention for Napoli this weekend.

For his first appearance under his new colors, striker Lukaku found the net on the last day. This time he should start with, in support, the Georgian international Kvaratskhelia (1 goal and 1 assist in SA). During the offseason, Naples lost playmaker Zielinski, who left for Inter, but also and above all the essential Osimhen (loaned to Galatasaray), who wanted to leave. Furthermore, the less important Ostigard (Rennes), Lindstrom (Everton), Cajuste (Ipswich), Natan (Betis), Demme (Hertha Berlin), Zanoli (Genoa), Gaetano (Cagliari) and Cheddira (Espanyol) also left the club. On the other hand, arrived defenders Buongiorno (Torino), Rafa Marin (Real Madrid) and Spinazzola (Roma), midfielders McTominay (Manchester United) and Gilmour (Brighton) as well as winger Neres (Benfica) and striker Lukaku (Chelsea).