Cremonese vs Cagliari

Cremonese’s return to Serie A has exceeded early expectations after securing promotion via the play-offs last season. Davide Nicola’s side opened the campaign with an eye-catching five-match unbeaten run [WWDDD], including back-to-back victories over AC Milan and Sassuolo.

That momentum has stalled, however, with last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Fiorentina extending their winless streak to four matches [LDLL]. The Grigiorossi have struggled for attacking fluency during that run, also losing 2-0 to Napoli and 1-0 to Torino either side of a goalless draw with Lazio.

Crucially, they failed to score in all four outings, with experienced forwards Jamie Vardy and Federico Bonazzoli both enduring dry spells in front of goal.

Despite that dip, Cremonese remain in a relatively comfortable position, sitting 13th with 21 points [5W,6D,7L]. While recent home form raises some concern, Nicola’s men have shown they can compete at this level.

Their 2-0 victory over Lecce remains their only win in the last five league games at the Giovanni Zini [DLLWL], but a visit from Cagliari will not intimidate a side that has already troubled several of Serie A’s heavyweights.

This fixture also carries a hint of history, marking the clubs’ first top-flight meeting since February 1996, when La Cremo ran out 3-1 winners.

Midfielder Michele Collocolo faces a late fitness test. Vardy and Bonazzoli may pair up front in a 3—5—2 formation.

Cagliari [WLDWL] are embroiled in a familiar scrap for survival. Head coach Fabio Pisacane has been tasked with keeping the Isolani in the top flight for a third consecutive season, and they begin the round sitting 15th with 18 points (4W, 6D, 8L).

The new year began on a disappointing note, with a 1-0 home defeat against AC Milan. Yet there have been signs of resilience on the road, as Cagliari claimed their first away victory since September by beating Torino 2-1, taking their away tally to nine points (2W, 3D, 4L).

Encouragingly for the visitors, the last five meetings between these sides have been evenly balanced (2W, 1D, 2L), suggesting little separates them. That parity hints at a tightly contested clash when they meet again.

The Isolani will again have to cope without several injured players, including Andrea Belotti, Zé Pedro, Mattia Felici, and Michael Folorunsho. Folorunsho recently underwent surgery and will be sidelined for several weeks.

Pisacane may deploy a 3-5-2 setup. Semih Kılıçsoy and Sebastiano Esposito are up front.