Prediction: Genoa vs Cagliari

Verdict: Cagliari double chance

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to spring an upset at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Monday night, Cagliari will travel to Genoa.

Genoa

Starting with the hosts, while Genoa might have all but officially secured their Serie A status, the Griffins do have the feel of a squad seeking some recent stability. Last seen putting in a toothless performance at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris as they slumped to a 1-0 loss against Lazio, Alberto Gilardino’s men have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous seven top-flight appearances on either side of March’s international break. Now facing a real uphill battle in their bid to punch a stunning top-half finish, Genoa should also be concerned by their extended issues on home soil. Including an action-packed 3-2 defeat at the hands of Monza last month, Monday’s hosts have won just a pair of their previous 10 consecutive showdown in Liguria – a run that stems all the way back to November 10th.

Team News

Still dealing with respective hamstring injuries, Genoa are once again expected to be without the duo of Junior Messias and former Atalanta star Russian Malinovsky are not expected to feature here. Likewise, not featuring since the start of January, 19-year-old starlet Alan Mutturro will not play any part for the remainder of the season.

Reportedly attracting plenty of Premier League interest ahead of the summer transfer window and notching 13 Serie A goals this year, attacking talisman Albert Gudmundsson will play a leading role on Monday night. One-time Roma ace Kevin Strootman will once again partner Morten Frendrup at the heart of Genoa’s midfield.

Cagliari

As for the visitors, although Cagliari might have found themselves at the heart of an extended crisis on either side of opening the New Year, Claudio Ranieri’s men have come roaring back. Now collecting back-to-back 2-2 stalemates against Italian icons Juventus and Inter Milan, the former Leicester boss has seen his squad skyrocket themselves away from a looming relegation scrap. In fact, getting April underway with a stellar 2-1 victory against Europa League semi-finalists Atalanta, the Islanders have lost just one of their previous nine consecutive Serie A appearances – a run that stems all the way back to February 10th. Looking to widen their buffer over the drop zone, Cagliari will also be excited by their most recent showdown against Monday’s hosts. Claiming an eye-catching 2-1 win when they welcomed Genoa to Sardinia back on November 5th, Ranieri will be dreaming of a repeat performance here.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Cagliari are once again sweating over the fitness of Gaetano Oristanio, Andrea Petagna, Marco Mancosu and Leonardo Pavoletti on Monday night. Returning from a one-match suspension against Juventus last week and making a brief came appearance off the bench, 28-year-old Alessandro Deiola could be handed a full recall here.

Notching four Serie A strikes over the past couple of months, Napoli loanee Gianluca Gaetano could play a leading role at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Likewise, recording five goals for club and country in his previous nine appearances, Uzbekistan international Eldor Shomurodov will spearhead Cagliari’s charge in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Genoa and Cagliari met for their reverse Serie A meeting on November 5th, the Islanders picked up a 2-1 victory in Sardinia.
• However, Monday’s guests have failed to win any of their last eight straight trips to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
• Cagliari have lost just one of their previous nine Serie A appearances – a run that stems back to February 10th.
• Genoa have recorded just two wins from any of their previous 10 showdowns at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
• The Griffins have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their last six Serie A appearances on home soil.

Conclusion

Snatching consecutive points off of both Inter Milan and Juventus respectively over the past fortnight, Cagliari should be relishing a trip to Liguria on Monday night. Skyrocketing themselves out of the drop zone and now suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous nine straight Serie A appearances, the Islanders will also be excited by their most recent showdown against Genoa. Landing a 2-1 victory when they welcomed Monday’s hosts to town for their reverse battle on November 5th, Ranieri’s men should be looking to spring an upset here.

Verdict: Cagliari double chance

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster