Cagliari vs Roma Predictions

Cagliari v Roma predictions for this Serie A fixture. Starting their first full season under Daniele De Rossi, Roma travel to Sardinia for their Serie A opener on Sunday, where Cagliari will host them. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Serie A | Aug 18, 2024 at 7.45pm UK at Sardegna Arena

Cagliari vs Roma Predictions

Can Cagliari Upset Roma’s New Era Under De Rossi?

• Roma have scored in both halves in their last two meetings with Cagliari.
• Cagliari’s defence conceded an average of 1.8 goals per game last season.
• Roma managed just one victory in their five pre-season matches.

Best Bet

Cagliari and Roma face off in an intriguing Serie A opener that sees the Giallorossi embarking on their first full season under Daniele De Rossi. After a summer of transition, both sides will be keen to start their campaigns on a positive note. Cagliari, aiming to avoid last season’s struggles, host a Roma side that harbours ambitions of returning to the Champions League. The Sardinian team are under new management, and Roma have been reinforced with fresh talent, making this a captivating contest between two clubs at different stages of their development.

Backing Cagliari to secure at least a point from this encounter might appear cautious, but several factors support this choice. First, despite Roma’s dominance in previous meetings, Cagliari have historically managed to make life difficult for the capital club on their home turf. With the Isolani now under the guidance of Davide Nicola, a manager renowned for his ability to organise defensively resilient teams, there’s every reason to believe that Cagliari can hold their own.

Roma’s squad, while bolstered by new signings like Artem Dovbyk and Enzo Le Fée, may require time to gel, especially in a competitive Serie A environment. Their pre-season form, which included only one win from five matches, indicates that De Rossi’s side might not hit the ground running. Additionally, with Paulo Dybala’s uncertain future and the departures of key players such as Romelu Lukaku, Roma could find it challenging to assert themselves fully in this opener.

Cagliari, on the other hand, come into this match with a competitive edge, having secured a 3-1 victory over Carrarese in the Coppa Italia. The impact of Roberto Piccoli, who scored twice, could be vital in unsettling a Roma defence still finding its feet. While Roma undoubtedly have the quality to claim all three points, the combination of Cagliari’s solid home form, their tactical astuteness under Nicola, and Roma’s potential early-season rustiness suggests that a draw, or even a surprise win for the hosts, is a plausible outcome.

Alternative Prediction

The expectation for a low-scoring affair seems fitting, given the circumstances surrounding both teams. Roma, despite their attacking potential, might not yet be fully cohesive in the final third. Their pre-season struggles in converting chances into goals underscore the point that De Rossi’s side could be more concerned with avoiding defensive errors than pushing too aggressively for goals. This cautious approach could limit their goal-scoring opportunities.

Cagliari, under Nicola’s tutelage, are likely to prioritise defensive solidity, particularly against a side of Roma’s calibre. Last season, Cagliari’s defensive statistics, such as conceding 1.8 goals per game, suggest vulnerability, but Nicola’s arrival could see a shift towards a more conservative style of play aimed at keeping matches tight and reducing the risk of heavy defeats. Additionally, Cagliari’s own attacking output might be limited, especially against a Roma defence that, despite its transitional phase, remains capable of holding firm against lesser opposition.

With both teams potentially approaching this game with a level of caution, especially considering it’s the season opener, the likelihood of a low-scoring match increases. The combination of Roma’s possible early-season attacking rust and Cagliari’s defensive focus under Nicola supports the prediction of fewer than three goals being scored in this encounter.

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