Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 13/25
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Starting 2026 with a golden opportunity to leapfrog their city rivals, AC Milan travel to Sardinia on Friday to face Cagliari in a crucial Serie A fixture. The Rossoneri, unbeaten in the league since August, can reclaim top spot from Inter Milan with a fourth win in five games, and history suggests they enjoy their visits to the island.
Cagliari
The odds are stacked against the hosts, who have managed just five wins in 46 home meetings with Milan. Their last success came in May 2017, when Fabio Pisacane scored a dramatic late winner in a 2-1 triumph.
Now in charge of the Rossoblu, Pisacane faces the challenge of steering his side clear of relegation and securing a third consecutive season in Italy’s top flight. Cagliari’s struggles have been evident, with only one win in their previous 12 league matches before last weekend’s trip to Turin.
Against Torino, however, they showed resilience, overturning an early deficit to claim a vital 2-1 victory. Matteo Prati ended his long goal drought before Semih Kilicsoy struck midway through the second half to seal the points.
Despite that morale boost, Cagliari remain 14th in the standings, hovering just above the drop zone. A familiar fight for survival looms in 2026, and hosting one of Serie A’s title contenders is a daunting way to start the new year.
Team News
Pisacane can welcome back Juan Rodriguez and Yerry Mina from illness, but Andrea Belotti, Ze Pedro, Mattia Felici, and Michael Folorunsho are unavailable. Folorunsho recently underwent MCL surgery and faces weeks on the sidelines, while Zito Luvumbo is away at AFCON.
Kilicsoy, who has scored in his last two appearances, should lead the line, supported by Gianluca Gaetano, Gennaro Borrelli, or Inter loanee Sebastiano Esposito.
AC Milan
After a disappointing Supercoppa Italiana exit to Napoli, Milan bounced back by dismantling Hellas Verona in their final Serie A game of 2025. Three goals in 10 minutes — from Christian Pulisic and a brace by Christopher Nkunku — briefly restored them to the summit before Inter reclaimed top spot.
Massimiliano Allegri’s men are firmly in the title race, with just four points separating the top five. Free from cup distractions, Milan can focus entirely on the Scudetto, and their form suggests they are serious contenders.
Unbeaten in 15 league matches since an opening-day defeat, the Rossoneri are enjoying their best run since 2021-22. Allegri’s reliance on a settled core — featuring Luka Modric, Pulisic, and captain Mike Maignan — has fostered stability, with Milan making fewer substitutions than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues.
Returning to Cagliari, where he managed 74 games between 2008 and 2010, Allegri will hope to extend Milan’s 14-match unbeaten streak against the Rossoblu. However, last season brought frustration, as Cagliari held them to a thrilling 3-3 draw thanks to Gabriele Zappa’s second-half brace.
Team News
Rafael Leao has resumed full training and could feature, though his fitness remains uncertain. Matteo Gabbia and Santiago Gimenez are still sidelined. Pulisic and Nkunku are expected to spearhead the attack in Allegri’s favored 3-5-2 system.
Pulisic ended 2025 as one of only four players to record three Serie A braces, while Nkunku’s recent goals were his first in the league since February.
Head-to-Head
Milan’s dominance in this fixture is clear: unbeaten in 14 meetings and victorious in most recent encounters. Yet, Cagliari’s spirited draw last season and their home resilience offer a reminder that surprises can happen in Sardinia.
Conclusion
Although Milan endured a spell of defensive lapses, last week’s clean sheet suggests Allegri’s structure is back in place. With their attacking firepower and title ambitions, the Rossoneri are expected to claim another win in Cagliari — and with it, a temporary return to the Serie A summit.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 13/25
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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