Cagliari vs Napoli Prediction: Conte’s men to win a high scoring game

The 17:00 live game on TNT Sports 1 on Sunday comes from the Unipol Domus as win-less Cagliari look for their first three-point haul of the season when they entertain Napoli.

Our Serie A betting expert Daniele Fisichella previews the action as he takes us through his Cagliari vs Napoli predictions…

Cagliari host Napoli on Sunday as both teams seek to define their early-season trajectories.  

Napoli, under Antonio Conte, have shown glimpses of a revitalized squad, averaging 1.75 expected goals per game, the highest in the league.  

However, the Partenopei’s defensive frailties remain a concern, with only one clean sheet so far, a problem that haunted them last season with just four clean sheets in 20 away games. 

Cagliari, on the other hand, have struggled to find their first win of the season but have shown resilience at home with two draws, including a pugnacious performance against Roma.  

The Sardinians have failed to score in just four of their last 21 home games, demonstrating their ability to create chances consistently.  

Key players like Luvumbo and Piccoli will be vital in breaking down Napoli’s defence, which looked vulnerable against Parma despite playing against ten men for large spells.  

This match will be a test of Napoli’s new mentality, especially without star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who might miss out due to injury.  

Conte’s side, with additions like Scottish International Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour, and Romelu Lukaku, who did not join his national side for the Nations League games, will aim to capitalize on their offensive prowess and assert themselves as serious top four contenders. 

Team News: 

For Cagliari, Mina is expected to marshal the defence, while Prati’s availability remains uncertain due to a knock. Luvumbo is set to lead the attack alongside Piccoli, with Azzi and Augello on the flanks.  

Conte’s tactical flexibility could see him switch between a 3-5-2 and a 4-2-4 depending on the game’s progression. 

Napoli will look to Lukaku upfront, with support from Kvaratskhelia, if fit, or potentially Neres or Politano. McTominay and Gilmour offer fresh midfield options, with Mazzocchi and Olivera expected to occupy the full-back positions.  

Cagliari vs Napoli Odds

The odds reflect Napoli’s strong historical dominance and superior form, yet acknowledge potential challenges.  Napoli are prices at 5/6 to win, given their record of six successes in the last eight away games against Cagliari, averaging 2.6 goals per game.  

However, Cagliari’s resilience at home and their tendency to draw, as they did in six of their last nine home matches, explains the 13/5 odds for the points to be shared.  

The over/under 2.5 goals market is evenly priced at 5/6. Although Napoli’s away matches last season frequently ended with high scores, Cagliari’s recent games have often seen fewer than three goals, creating uncertainty around total goals. 

Both teams to score is favoured at 8/11, reflecting recent trends where both teams found the net in six of Napoli’s last eight away games. Cagliari’s defensive inconsistencies and Napoli’s strong attack increase the chances of both sides scoring on Sunday afternoon. 

Betting Tips: 

Both Teams To Score – Yes @ 8/11 

Cagliari have failed to score in only four of their last 21 home games. So far they’ve hit the woodwork for times and are seventh for shots taken (45 in Serie A).  

On the other hand, Napoli’s defence has been less than airtight, keeping just one clean sheet this season. 

*You can check out all of our Football Odds over at betfred.com