Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 37/50

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Napoli travels to Cagliari searching for the 3rd win in Serie A following a shocking start with a defeat in the opening round against Verona. The game will be played Sunday afternoon at Unipol Domus, where over 16000 fans will back the host to break the ice and record the first win against Napoli since 2009.

Cagliari

Taking Cagliari from 14th place in Serie B to a dramatic last Summer promotion achieved after an intense play-off win against Bari, Claudio Ranieri became a legend for the Islanders. Although returning to the first stage of Italian football was a great performance, Cagliari had a reality check after ending the previous term under a real relegation threat.

However, the vast experience, knowledge and coaching of Claudio Ranieri were key in stirring Cagliari towards safety with one game left before the season’s conclusion, giving the Islanders a massive opportunity to continue playing against Italy’s best.

While the owners were keen to keep the veteran manager at the helm for at least another year, Claudio Ranieri retired from management after an impressive career-winning silverware with Fiorentina, Valencia, Leicester and promoting Cagliari to Serie A.

Davide Nicola was appointed the new head coach, with the experienced Italian manager being familiar with the Serie A’s demands and seen as Houdini after saving five teams from relegation during his entire career, the latest being Empoli last season.

With the Summer holiday over, Cagliari started preparing for the Serie A with four test games (W2D1L1) before defeating Carrarese in the Coppa in the first official match played this term. While the success against the Serie B side was a perfect start, the Islanders failed to raise their level in Serie A, recording two draws and a defeat.

Even if keeping Roma at bay following a home-goalless stalemate was a positive result, dropping two points against Como and surrendering at Lecce indicates Cagliari is heading towards fighting for survival.

Benefiting from a favourable schedule with the next three games played in front of their fans, Cagliari must improve their level before Napoli arrives in town.

Team News

Backup goalkeeper Giuseppe Cioci has been sidelined since February after injuring his shoulder. Alongside him, defensive midfielder Matteo Prati joined the recovery room with an ankle sprain. Davide Nicola is expected to use the same 3-5-2 formation to gain control of the middle of the pitch and deliver decisive strikes on counterattacks.

Napoli

The town of Napoli was in distress during the Summer since their favourite team was left without a manager and their talisman and most valuable player, Victor Osimhen was cast out from the squad. Although club owner Aurelio de Laurentis pulled a strategic move agreeing with Antonio Conte to take charge of the team, the Nigerian striker was sent to Galatasaray on loan.

While Antonio Conte’s temperament is very well known, the Italian coach being straightforward in requesting specific players, the arrival of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea on a one-year loan with the obligation to buy, reinforced significantly Napoli’s attacking power.

Antonio Conte knows the record-holder Belgium goalscorer after both played a great role in bringing Inter Milan the Scudetto in 2021. However, Lukaku missed Napoli’s pre-season tour that returned four wins and a defeat to Girona and, the first two Serie A games.

His late arrival and the lack of fitness left Antonio Conte with limited options for the number 9 position in the first official games. The penalty shootout win in the Coppa against Modena and embarrassingly losing their Serie A opener at Verona (3-0) made Conte ask the board to speed up Lukaku’s deal.

While the Blues bounced back in style from the Verona crash with an emphatic 3-0 victory at Bologna, Lukaku had an instant impact on his debut at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium against Parma. Falling behind before the halftime mark when Parma took the lead, Napoli benefited from playing with an extra man after Zion Suzuki’s sent-off in the 75th minute.

Romelu Lukaku and Andre Anguissa delivered the final blow that brought three points for Antonio Conte’s team, positioning Napoli one point behind leaders Inter Milan.

Team News

With no injury worries, Antonio Conte will remain loyal to his famous 3-5-2 lineup. However, the Italian coach will likely give Romelu Lukaku his first start for Napoli, since the Belgian striker achieved the fitness level to play from the 1st minute.

Key factors to consider

• Cagliari scored a single goal in three Serie A rounds
• The hosts’ last home win against Napoli dates from 2009
• Napoli is 6th in the standings, one point behind leaders Inter
• The visitors are in excellent form winning the last two Serie A games

Conclusion

Napoli built momentum with two consecutive wins in the Serie A looking for another success at Cagliari. The home team displayed their limits in the previous round after failing to score and losing at Lecce, despite playing the second half with an extra man.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 37/50

Bookmaker: ZetBet