Prediction: Cagliari vs Inter Milan

Verdict: Lautaro Martinez to score anytime

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to make it back-to-back Serie A victories on Monday night, Inter Milan will travel to the Unipol Domus when they meet Cagliari.

Cagliari

Starting with the hosts, mounting a stellar play-off charge back in June as they punched their Serie A return, Cagliari are desperate to make an early statement this month. Opening up the 2023/24 campaign with a rugged display on the road as they eventually played out a 0-0 stalemate away at Torino, the mood around the Unipol Domus should be at a continued high. Extending on their Coppa Italia adventure on August 12th as they snatched a 2-1 victory at home against Palermo, Claudio Ranieri’s side certainly gained a reputation for their success on home soil last season. In fact, the one-time Leicester boss saw his side go unbeaten in each of their final 18 straight Serie B showdowns in front of their own supporters – a run that stems all the way back to October 1st. Although Cagliari might know that they face a heavyweight challenge on Monday night, the Islanders will be relishing a return to the Unipol Domus here.

Team News

Dealing with an extended injury list since making their Serie A return, Cagliari will once again be without the quartet of Jacopo Desogus, Marko Rog, Marcos Mancosu and attacking talisman Gianluca Lapadula on Monday night.

Making his full debut last week after arriving from FC Volendam this summer, 20-year-old Gaetano Oristanio should spearhead Cagliari’s attack at the Unipol Domus. Edoardo Goldaniga will once again partner 24-year-old Alberto Dossena at the back.

Inter Milan

As for the visitors, while Inter Milan might have been disappointed after only settling for a bronze medal finish among Italy’s elite last season, the Nerazzuri did gain a string of praise as they reached the Champions League final back in June. Opening the new campaign with a routine performance as they eventually claimed a 2-0 victory against Monza, Simone Inzaghi’s side will be looking to lay down another early marker here. With their sights firmly set on mounting another Serie A title charge this time around, the ex-Lazio boss will be calling on his squad to carry on from where they left off back in May. In fact, along with a final weekend 1-0 victory away at Torino, it should be highlighted that Inter Milan signed off the 2022/23 campaign by winning seven of their final eight top-flight showdowns. Continuing to impress on either side of the summer break, the Nerazzuri should be smelling a chance as they travel to the Unipol Domus on Monday night.

Team News

Returning to Milan over the weekend after a successful spell with French outfit Marseille, former Arsenal superstar Alexis Sanchez should make a second debut here. Swiss international shot-stopper Yann Sommer will once again start between the sticks.

Opening the new campaign with both goals against Monza last weekend, attacking talisman Lautaro Martinez will spearhead the Nerazzuri’s charge after notching 21 top-flight goals last season.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back in May 2022, Inter Milan picked up a 3-1 victory at the Unipol Domus.
• Likewise, Monday’s guests have won each of their previous four meetings against the Islanders by an aggregate score of 11-2.
• Inter Milan signed off the 2022/23 Serie A campaign by winning seven of their final eight top-flight contests.
• Cagliari were unbeaten in each of their final 18 straight Serie B showdowns in front of their own supporters – a run that stems all the way back to October 1st.
• Six of the last eight meetings between Cagliari and Inter Milan have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While Cagliari might have gained a reputation for their continued success on home soil last season, the Islanders certainly face a huge step up in class on Monday night. Watching Inter Milan open the new campaign with a 2-0 win against Monza, the former Serie A champions have continued to gain a string of plaudits on either side of the summer break. Storming their way to a routine 3-1 victory when they travelled to the Unipol Domus for their most recent back in May, Inter’s red-hot attacking talisman should be smelling another golden chance here.

Verdict: Lautaro Martinez to score anytime

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Luckster