As the Serie A season progresses, the upcoming clash between Venezia and Cagliari at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo promises to be a critical encounter for both teams, who find themselves entrenched in the relegation battle. Scheduled for Sunday, this match is not just another fixture; it represents a vital opportunity for both clubs to secure points that could prove essential for their survival hopes.
Both Venezia and Cagliari are struggling at the bottom of the Serie A table, with Venezia currently sitting in 20th place and Cagliari just above them in 18th. The stakes couldn’t be higher as they each seek to escape the drop zone. Venezia have had a tumultuous season since their promotion from Serie B, managing only two wins in 16 matches. Their most recent outing was a heart-wrenching draw against Juventus, where they let a late lead slip away due to a controversial penalty, ending what could have been a monumental victory.
Cagliari, on the other hand, have experienced similar frustrations. They have only one win in their last eight league matches and have struggled to find the back of the net consistently, scoring just once in their last four league games. Their recent performance included a disappointing exit from the Coppa Italia after being defeated 4-0 by Juventus, further dampening their morale.
Historically, Venezia hold an advantage over Cagliari when playing at home. The Sardinians have never claimed a Serie A victory at Stadio Penzo, with their last seven encounters resulting in no wins for Cagliari. This trend adds an intriguing layer to the match as Venezia aims to leverage their home ground advantage to secure crucial points.
Team News
In terms of team news, Venezia will be without key players due to injuries. Michael Svoboda is sidelined for the season with an ACL injury, while Alfred Duncan and others are also unavailable due to various ailments. Coach Eusebio Di Francesco will need to make strategic adjustments to his lineup, potentially bringing in Cagliari-owned Giorgio Altare to bolster their defense.
Cagliari coach Davide Nicola faces fewer injury concerns but will miss Zito Luvumbo due to an ankle sprain. Expect Nicola to field a solid lineup featuring Roberto Piccoli, who has been instrumental in their attack despite recent struggles.
Expected Starting XIs
Venezia: Stankovic; Altare, Idzes, Sverko; Zampano, Andersen, Nicolussi Caviglia, Ellertsson; Oristanio, Busio; Pohjanpalo
Cagliari: Sherri; Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Obert; Zortea, Adopo, Makoumbou, Augello; Gaetano; Piccoli
Match Prediction
Given both teams’ current form and defensive vulnerabilities, predictions lean towards a tightly contested match. While Venezia may be more difficult to defeat on home soil, Cagliari’s need for points could drive them to play more aggressively. A draw seems likely as both teams grapple with scoring issues and strive for stability amidst their relegation fight.
Prediction: Venezia 0-0 Cagliari
