Still seeking their first win since promotion, Cagliari aim to get off the mark at the tenth time of asking when they host Frosinone on Sunday.
Both clubs returned to Serie A in the summer, but the Rossoblu's adaptation period has proved tough; meanwhile, their visitors occupy a place in mid-table.
Match preview
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Including two last time out against Salernitana, last term's Serie B playoff winners Cagliari have dropped eight points from winning positions this season, and they sit bottom of the table as a result.
Alongside Udinese and last week's opponents - who twice fought back to draw 2-2 after Cagliari scored through Zito Luvumbo and Nicolas Viola - the Rossoblu are one of three teams yet to win in Serie A after nine games and are already staring a relegation fight in the face.
Only three times in the Sardinian side's history have they been winless from their first 10 top-flight fixtures, and two of those occasions ultimately ended in relegation - demonstrating the need for maximum points this weekend.
Following Boulaye Dia's late double for Salernitana, Cagliari have conceded at least twice in each of their last five matches, and as they prepare to host Frosinone in Sunday's early kickoff, only their Salerno-based rivals have shipped more goals at home.
All of which adds up to a significant problem for veteran coach Claudio Ranieri to resolve, but having just picked up their first point since mid-September, his team can at least target a satisfying end to October.
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Frosinone are yet to beat Cagliari in four matches across Italy's top two tiers, with both of the clubs' contests in Serie B last season ending all-square.
Nonetheless, they travel south to Sardinia on this occasion imbued with well-founded optimism, as Eusebio Di Francesco's youthful squad have enjoyed a promising start to life in the elite after lifting the second-tier title last term.
Including a number of loanees from clubs higher up the Calcio foodchain, Frosinone have used more players born this century than any other Serie A side in 2023-24 - and their tally of 13 is fewer only than Valencia (14), Chelsea (15) and Rennes (16) across Europe's top five leagues.
The Canarini's 2-1 defeat at Bologna last weekend was just their third since promotion, and they find themselves closer to the top six than the bottom three with nearly a quarter of the campaign completed.
However, they have gone winless through their first four away fixtures; but visiting rock-bottom Cagliari may offer the perfect chance to put that right.
Team News
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Aside from long-term absentee Marko Rog, Cagliari should have a full squad at their disposal on Sunday, as versatile midfielder Nahitan Nandez is set to recover from a minor muscular problem in time to play.
Claudio Ranieri has frequently rotated his squad this season, in vain search of a winning formula, and given the numerous attacking options available to him, further changes could be made up front.
Andrea Petagna, Eldor Shomurodov and Gianluca Lapadula all boast experience at Serie A level, but Zito Luvumbo and Inter loanee Gaetano Oristanio are the current incumbents.
Meanwhile, Marco Brescianini is expected to deputise for Frosinone captain Luca Mazzitelli, who was dismissed during stoppage time last week and must now serve a suspension. Both Abdou Harroui (foot) and Francesco Gelli (muscular) remain ruled out by injury.
After scoring from the spot last time out, Juventus-owned Matias Soule is the youngest player in Europe's top five leagues with at least three goals, 20 dribbles completed and 20 chances created this season. The Argentinian will support sole striker Walid Cheddira, who has scored just once for the Canarini since arriving on loan in the summer.
Cagliari possible starting lineup:
Scuffet; Zappa, Dossena, Goldaniga, Augello; Nandez, Makoumbou, Prati; Mancosu; Luvumbo, Oristanio
Frosinone possible starting lineup:
Turati; Oyono, Romagnoli, Okoli, Marchizza; Barrenechea, Brescianini; Soule, Reinier, Garritano; Cheddira
We say: Cagliari 1-2 Frosinone
Cagliari's woes could continue into November, as the Sardinian side are set for a seventh Serie A defeat of the season; they have a sieve-like defence and can be caught out by Frosinone's bright attacking talents more than once.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
