Cagliari vs Bologna Prediction Betting Tips & Preview

Overview

Serie A action resumes as Cagliari hosts Bologna at the Unipol Domus on Tuesday evening. With both teams sitting at nine points, they aim to build momentum for the remainder of the season. This match promises intrigue as both sides seek consistency, with Bologna eager to secure an away victory and Cagliari focused on leveraging home advantage to regain form.

Recent Performance and Key Factors

Cagliari’s Recent Form

Following a season of highs and lows, Cagliari approaches this match after a tough 2-0 defeat to Udinese. Despite maintaining competitive play for much of the game, the team struggled following the early dismissal of Antoine Makoumbou due to a second yellow card. This loss leaves Cagliari looking to avoid further missteps, especially with challenging fixtures against top-tier teams such as Lazio, Milan, and Fiorentina on the horizon.

• Last Five Serie A Matches: 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Losses
• Home Form: Strong recent performances, although inconsistent finishing has impacted results

Bologna’s Recent Form

Bologna enters this clash with slightly fresher legs after their weekend fixture against AC Milan was postponed. Despite a commendable sixth-place finish last season, Bologna has yet to rediscover that form, with their Serie A campaign marked by an over-reliance on draws. Coach Vincenzo Italiano will be looking to resolve this issue and shore up defense after several occasions where Bologna has dropped points from winning positions.

• Last Five Serie A Matches: 3 Draws, 1 Win, 1 Loss
• Away Form: Limited success on the road this season, but recent strategic shifts may increase effectiveness.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

Cagliari

Coach Davide Nicola faces selection challenges with Antoine Makoumbou’s suspension following his recent red card. This gap in midfield may prompt a lineup shift with Alessandro Deiola or Matteo Prati likely to step in. Key players, including Zito Luvumbo and Nadir Zortea, may also see increased involvement as Nicola explores more attacking options.

• Injuries: Jakub Jankto (muscular), Leonardo Pavoletti (foot)
• Suspended: Antoine Makoumbou

Predicted Starting XI:

Bologna

Bologna’s Vincenzo Italiano might make minimal adjustments to preserve cohesion following their Aston Villa matchup. Santiago Castro and Thijs Dallinga are in contention for the starting forward role, while Michel Aebischer could re-enter midfield duties following an injury recovery.

• Injuries: Nicolo Cambiaghi, Oussama El Azzouzi, Martin Erlic, Lewis Ferguson

Tactical Analysis

Cagliari’s Approach

Playing at home, Cagliari is likely to adopt a high-pressing approach, aiming to disrupt Bologna’s passing game. Given Bologna’s tendency to concede goals from set pieces, Cagliari may focus on delivering dangerous crosses and exploiting defensive lapses. Davide Nicola’s strategy will likely incorporate swift counterattacks, capitalizing on the pace of Luvumbo and Zortea on the flanks.

Bologna’s Approach

Bologna’s approach under Italiano emphasizes controlled possession and gradual build-up play. A major focus for Bologna will be solidifying their backline while controlling the tempo through midfield. Italiano may emphasize discipline to minimize errors in defending set-pieces, an area that has proven vulnerable. With Orsolini’s creative spark and Castro’s eye for goal, Bologna can mount offensive pressure if they manage the midfield battle effectively.

Key Players to Watch

Cagliari

• Zito Luvumbo: With speed and technical ability, Luvumbo’s impact on the left flank can disrupt Bologna’s defensive rhythm.
• Gabriele Zappa: As a right-back, Zappa’s crossing ability could be vital in breaking down Bologna’s defense, particularly on set plays.

Bologna

• Riccardo Orsolini: As Bologna’s creative engine, Orsolini’s vision and agility in the attacking third provide a key offensive edge.
• Michael Aebischer: If he returns from injury, Aebischer’s ball distribution and defensive coverage will be crucial in stabilizing Bologna’s midfield.

Match Prediction

Given Bologna’s recent rest period and strategic adjustments, they appear well-prepared to edge this encounter. However, Cagliari’s tenacity at home and potential lineup flexibility could make it a closely contested match. A narrow scoreline favoring Bologna seems probable if they execute effectively on both ends of the pitch.

Predicted Score: Cagliari 0-1 Bologna

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