MX23RW : Tuesday, January 21 10:55:38| >> :600:265142:265142:
[monks data]
Cagliari logo
Serie A | Gameweek 18
Dec 30, 2023 at 2pm UK
Sardegna Arena
Empoli logo

Cagliari
0 - 0
Empoli


Lapadula (29')
FT

Maleh (29'), Cacace (64'), Walukiewicz (80')

Preview: Cagliari vs. Empoli - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Serie A clash between Cagliari and Empoli, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Gameweek 18 in Serie A sees two relegation-threatened sides battle in Sardinia on Saturday when Cagliari host Empoli at the Unipol Domus.

Claudio Ranieri's men have lost two on the trot but come into round 18's clash in slightly healthier form than their second-bottom opponents.


Match preview

Cagliari coach Claudio Ranieri on December 16, 2023© Reuters

It has been a stop-start return to the top division for Cagliari, with their unsurprising inconsistency seeing them occupy 18th in Serie A heading into the final gameweek of 2023.

There have been a few false dawns to offer optimism, the latest being the 2-1 triumph over Sassuolo on December 12, followed by defeats against Napoli (2-1) and Hellas Verona (2-0).

Losing at Verona was particularly damaging, as Ranieri's men slipped into the bottom three after that loss before Christmas and sit a point ahead of this weekend's opponents.

The Sardinians can draw confidence from their recent form on home turf, evident in the four-match sequence that has seen the Rossoblu claim 10 points from an available 12 in recent games in front of their supporters.

Extending that run to five could take Ranieri's team out of the bottom three, even if only a win guarantees that outcome heading into the New Year.

Empoli's Francesco Caputo celebrates scoring their third goal with Nicolo Cambiaghi on May 22, 2023© Reuters

The home fans could look forward to that eventuality based on Empoli's wretched results in recent months and most of the 2023-24 season.

Aurelio Andreazzoli's team have notched surprising victories at Fiorentina (2-0) and Napoli (1-0) since the Massa-born manager replaced Paolo Zanetti in September, but the Italian's spell has delivered little else.

With five league defeats in their last eight, Empoli are not in the bottom three by accident, although they could still escape the danger zone with a third away triumph of the campaign.

The Azzurri have netted just five times on the road all season, failing to score in 50% of their eight away games, underscoring the goalscoring prowess outside Tuscany.

It remains to be seen if they are successful in Sardinia on Saturday, but recent results give little hope for a positive outcome.

Cagliari Serie A form:

Empoli Serie A form:


Team News

Cagliari's Leonardo Pavoletti celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on December 16, 2023© Reuters

Antoine Makoumbou is suspended for Cagliari, and the midfield man misses Saturday's game for Ranieri's troops.

Eldor Shomurodov (foot) and Marko Rog (ACL) are both missing for the home side, with the pair not expected to return until February.

As for Empoli, Francesco Caputo, Bartosz Bereszynski, and Gabriele Guarino have muscle injuries that should rule them out of Saturday's action; Giuseppe Pezzella's back problem also keeps the defender out.

With Caputo doubtful, the low-scoring away side have no player with more than one goal this term, giving Andreazzoli a headache heading into the game.


Cagliari possible starting lineup:
Scuffet; Goldaniga, Chatzidiakos, Dossena; Nandez, Suleman, Viola, Prati, Augello; Lapadula, Oristanio

Empoli possible starting lineup:
Caprile; Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Sastoni; Fazzini, Grassi, Maleh; Cancellieri, Maldini, Cambiaghi


SM words green background

We say: Cagliari 2-1 Empoli

While the away side may find the back of the net, Cagliari hope to extend their undefeated run at home to five games.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


ID:532332:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9730:
Written by
Anthony Brown

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Cagliari vs Empoli

Cagliari
72.4%
Draw
15.5%
Empoli
12.1%
58
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Napoli's Giovanni Simeone celebrates scoring their first goal on November 29, 2023
Read Next:
Saturday's Serie A predictions including Napoli vs. Cagliari
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Napoli21162335142150
2Inter Milan20145151183347
3Atalanta BCAtalanta21134446242243
4Lazio2112363728939
5Juventus21813034171737
6Fiorentina2096533211233
7Bologna208933226633
8AC Milan208752921831
9Roma217683127427
10Udinese217592432-826
11Torino215882126-523
12Genoa215881830-1223
13Como215792634-822
14CagliariCagliari2156102334-1121
15Empoli214892028-820
16Parma214892636-1020
17Lecce2155111536-2120
18Hellas VeronaHellas Verona2161142447-2319
19VeneziaVenezia2136121934-1515
20Monza2127122031-1113


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!