Cagliari vs AC Milan Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Cagliari vs AC Milan Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: January 02, 2026 | Unipol Domus | Serie A | 19:45 GMT

It might be a new year, but for these Serie A teams, there is no rest. In this fixture, a struggling Cagliari side welcome title contenders AC Milan side at the Unipol Domus – here, the hosts come into the game off the back of an impressive comeback against Torino, but they run into a hot Milan who just put three past Hellas Verona.

We are backing a both teams to score here, with both sides looking to start the new year off on the right foot.

Key Betting Tip: BTTS at 1.95 odds on TalkSPORT bet represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our algorithm.

odds subject to change.

This match looks enticing from a both teams to score outlook. Although Milan average less than 1 goal conceded per game and Cagliari average just over 1 goal scored per game, we still see this as a promising angle. If we dive into the head-to-head records between the sides, each of their past five meetings have seen this market come in.

Alternative Tip: AC Milan to Win – 1.57 - we also see an away victory somewhat promising, given Milan’s 20 wins in their last 27 meetings, with Cagliari’s last win in the fixture coming back in 2017.

Cagliari vs AC Milan Lineups

Cagliari Predicted XI (3-5-1-1): Elia Caprile; Sebastiano Luperto, Alessandro Deiola, Gabriele Zappa; Riyad Idrissi, Luca Mazzitelli, Matteo Prati, Michel Adopo, Marco Palestra; Gianluca Gaetano; Semih Kilicsoy.

For the hosts, as well as Mattia Felici – who is out for the season – Ze Pedro, Michael Folorunsho and Andrea Beloit are also out injured.

AC Milan Predicted XI (3-5-2): Mike Maignan; Strahinja Pavlovic, Koni De Winter, Fikayo Tomori; Davide Bartesaghi, Adrien Rabiot, Luka Modric, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Alexis Saelemaekers; Christian Pulisic, Christopher Nkunku.

Still the big name of Rafael Leao could miss out as he is a doubt for the clash, with Santiago Gimenez and Matteo Gabbia also sidelined.

Cagliari vs AC Milan Current League Standings

Cagliari find themselves currently towards the bottom end of the Serie A table at the turn of the year. Their 18-point tally consists of four wins, six draws and seven defeats but it is also only six better than 18th-placed Verona, who are the top-placed side of the ones currently in the drop zone. They are, however, within 10 points of the European places, so a monumental victory here could set them up for an incredible run of form.

As for AC Milan, they currently reside in second place, a mammoth 17 points ahead of Friday’s opponents. It has been a thrilling title race so far, which still sees Inter’s 36 points just four better than Juventus’ 32 down in fifth, making the second half of the season something for any onlooker to keep an eye on. The Rossoneri are just one point off top spot and will be confident to overturn this deficit considering they have lost just once this season, on the opening day.

Cagliari vs AC Milan Head-to-Head Timeline

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

Through the last 15 years, these sides have met on 27 occasions. The fixture does seem to be Milan-dominated, with the Rossoneri coming out on 20 occasions, making them a very safe pick. As we said earlier, however, these sides have played out some goal-filled entertaining matches in recent seasons, so we are sure to be in for a new year’s treat in this one.

• January 11, 2025: Milan 1-1 Cagliari
• November 9, 2024: Cagliari 3-3 Milan
• May 11, 2024: Milan 5-1 Cagliari
• January 2, 2024: Milan 4-1 Cagliari – Coppa Italia
• September 27, 2023: Cagliari 1-3 Milan

Cagliari and AC Milan: Recent Matches Analysis

Cagliari Last 5 Matches:

• Cagliari 2-1 Torino (A)
• Cagliari 2-2 Pisa (H)
• Cagliari 1-2 Atalanta (A)
• Cagliari 1-0 Roma (H)
• Cagliari 1-1p Napoli (A) – Coppa Italia

Despite a heavily difficult fixture list throughout the end of November and December, Cagliari have played incredibly well to have lost just two in their last six games, granted Napoli did end up defeating them on penalties. They have showed serious character in these games too, finding goals in each of their last seven, refusing to stay down without a fight.it is a really important month ahead for them though, as they have some fixtures coming up where they can really push up the table.

AC Milan Last 5 Matches:

• Milan 3-0 Verona (H)
• Milan 0-2 Napoli (N) – Super Coppa
• Milan 2-2 Sassuolo (H)
• Milan 3-2 Torino (A)
• Milan 0-1 Lazio (A) – Coppa Italia

After going unbeaten in 13 games after their opening day defeat to Cremonese, Milan have been handed two more in domestic competitions by Lazio and Napoli. Surrounding this, however, they have played some good football, including a 3-0 hammering of Verona on their return to league action after a lovely holiday in Saudi Arabia just before Christmas.

Cagliari vs AC Milan Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with confidence in both teams to score. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Cagliari vs AC Milan Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: BTTS @ 1.95 - Recent form suggests confidence in a high scoring game. With an 60% chance of both teams to score according to our incredible in-house algorithm, this seems like a strong value option.

Key Players to Watch: Cagliari vs AC Milan

Elia Caprile (Cagliari): Despite, Cagliari’s struggles to stay consistent home or away in the league so far this campaign, it has certainly not reflected onto Caprile in recent weeks. The 24-year-old defender has had an incredible last month or so in the backline, earning two player of the match awards, while staying in the green rating in each of his last five games, according to fotmob.

Christian Pulisic (Milan): Also known as Captain America, Pulisic seems to be having a cracking season in the lead up to his first home World Cup. He has netted eight goals so far from just seven starts in the Serie A and has been key to their unbeaten run away from home in the league. He has four goals in his last six appearances, with three of them being reasons his team has gone from one or less points to all three.

Cagliari vs AC Milan Match Facts

Referee: Rosario Abisso.

Broadcast Details:

**UK/INT’L: DAZN ** at 19:45 GMT.

Stadium Information: Located in Cagliari, Italy, the Unipol Domus can hold up to just over 16,000 supporters, and this venue is expected to be packed for this clash, with this clash having much at stake for both sides.

Cagliari vs AC Milan: Final Prediction

Cagliari 1-3 AC Milan