The Serie A season has not started well for either Cagliari or Venezia. The two Serie A rivals are mired in the relegation zone after six matchdays.
On Friday night, Cagliari will host Venezia at the Sardegna Arena. Cagliari are 19th in Serie A going into matchday 7 with a mere two points from 18 on offer. The Islanders are on a two-match losing streak.
Venezia were promoted to Serie A ahead of this season. They have so far looked like a newly-promoted team. Venezia have taken four points from 18 on offer.
On matchday 6, they claimed a come from behind home 1-1 draw with Torino. Venezia have slightly more momentum going into the game.
Cagliari are on a two-match home losing streak. One of their two points this season have come at the Sardegna Arena. Walter Mazzarri’s team have been outscored at home 7-4.
Venezia have taken four points from 12 on the road this term. They have scored just two goals away from home with six being tallied by opponents.
Coach Paolo Zanetti’s team could emerge from the relegation zone with a win or draw on Friday night at least until the end of the weekend.
Mazzarri has four players on the Cagliari injury list going into the game on Friday night at home. Midfielder Marko Rog is ruled out with a knee injury until mid-October. Defender Pancrazio Farago is a doubt due to a hip issue. Riccardo Ladinetti and Damir Ceter are both doubts to play the game.
Cagliari are led in goals this season by Joao Pedro with four. He has scored 57% of the team’s goals. He has added two assists and has contributed to six of the team’s goals by scoring or creating.
Zanetti has three players on the Venezia injury list going into the game this Friday. Defender Ridgeciano Haps is a doubt due to a muscle strain. Midfielder Lauri Ala-Myllymaki is ruled out until after the international break in October. Goalkeeper Luca Lezzerini could return to the squad from injury.
Goals have been difficult to come by for Venezia. Just four have been tallied with four different players getting on the scoresheet. Summer signing Gianluca Busio has tallied one assist and will start in midfield as the team’s creative hub.
Five of Cagliari’s seven games in Serie A have ended with over 2.5 goals. Cagliari have given up the league’s joint most goals with 15. Friday’s game should see them concede goals once more as Cagliari and Venezia combine for over 2.5 goals.
Venezia have allowed 11 goals, so they too should concede scores. Cagliari and Venezia should combine for goals in a draw at the Sardegna Arena.