Monza vs Cagliari Prediction 5 January 2025

📊 How will the battle between two of the worst teams in the Italian championship end? After 18 rounds, Monza and Cagliari are situated in the relegation zone, and they approach the upcoming clash with a series of 5 losses. Undoubtedly, the forthcoming match holds immense significance for both the hosts and the guests - losing is not an option. In such a situation, we will attempt to analyze all the details to provide you with an accurate prediction for the game that will take place at the "U-Power Stadium."

📊 Head-to-Head

The history of encounters between Monza and Cagliari is hardly rich. Since 2002, the teams have managed to play only 2 matches, both of which took place last season. As for the results, neither the first nor the second game delighted spectators with vibrant football. On November 26, 2023, the teams finished with a score of 1-1, and in mid-March, "Brianzoli" secured a narrow victory at home (1-0).

🔴 Monza

Currently, it's hard to hold back tears watching Monza's results. In one season, "Brianzoli" have transformed from the main nightmare of all Italian football giants into a characterless team. The club occupies the last place in the Serie A standings and hasn't tasted victory for 11 matches (3 draws and 8 losses). However, changes in the coaching staff give Monza fans a glimmer of hope for a successful future. In just a few days, Salvatore Bocchetti managed to convey his football ideas to his players, and last weekend the team demonstrated a commendable level of play. Despite being an away match, an early sending-off (54th minute), and conceding a penalty (56th minute), "Brianzoli" outperformed Parma in all aspects - 1.97-1.44 in xG metrics and 5-1 in created scoring chances. But poor finishing and a conceded goal in the 90+8th minute left them without points (1-2). Regarding the upcoming clash, Salvatore Bocchetti will be unable to rely on 7 players, including Pablo Marí (suspension) and Dany Mota (ankle injury).

🔵 Cagliari

Cagliari is quite close to Monza in the Serie A standings. The team is in eighteenth place, with a 4-point lead over "Brianzoli." The recent matches have been outright failures for the "Islanders" - 5 consecutive losses with a total score of 1-11. In the previous round, for example, Cagliari at home couldn't put up a fight against the reigning Serie A champion, conceding 3 unanswered goals (0-3). Considering the stats (5-20 in shots, 0.31-3.50 in xG), no one would be surprised if Inter won by a larger margin. The upcoming clash could be decisive for Davide Nicola. If the "Islanders" don't achieve an acceptable result, it's quite likely that the Italian specialist will be dismissed. In such an important game for the 51-year-old coach, only Yerry Mina (calf injury) will be unavailable.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

Fans of Italian football should have no doubts about why these teams are in the relegation zone. Monza and Cagliari offer little excitement with their attacking play and rank among the worst teams in terms of goals scored. Both "Brianzoli" and "Islanders" have scored 16 goals each, with only Lecce having fewer goals (11). In this situation, one can bet on total under 2.5.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Regarding corners in the upcoming match, we will see a clash between two teams with entirely different approaches. For instance, Cagliari is a big fan of set pieces. The "Islanders" approach the corner flag an average of 5.9 times per game, with only Inter (6.4) and Napoli (6.1) having higher figures. Monza, on the other hand, ranks seventeenth in this statistical parameter, earning an average of 3.9 corners. In this situation, one can bet on Cagliari winning corners with a handicap (+1.5).

📝 Editorial Prediction

According to bookmakers, there is no clear favorite in the upcoming clash. However, our editorial team disagrees with them on this matter. Despite both opponents having a prolonged series without points, Monza doesn't seem as hopeless as Cagliari. At least "Brianzoli" showed very quality football against Parma away (1-2), playing with one less player for about 40 minutes. And in the upcoming match, they will have home support from their fans. In contrast, Cagliari players seem to lack their former spark. The team loses one game after another and cannot show anything substantial in attack. Perhaps the "Islanders" need a shake-up in the form of Davide Nicola's dismissal as head coach, but that decision should be made by club management, not us. Our key bet is Monza to win with a handicap (0). We believe the hosts will win with a score of 2-0.