AC Milan go into Serie A matchday 37 in third place. After thrashing Torino 7-0 in midweek, the Rossoneri are three points ahead of fifth-place Juventus in the race for Champions League qualification.
Cagliari are down the Serie A table and in 15th place. The Islanders are unbeaten in six straight matches and on a brilliant run of form. Cagliari are joint-top of the Serie A form table.
They took 14 points from the last 18 on offer, scoring 12 goals and conceding seven.
AC Milan took 12 points from the last 18 available to them in the league. They have picked up their play once more and won three straight fixtures. AC Milan outscored their last six opponents by a score of 15-6.
A win against Cagliari could seal Champions League qualification for the Rossoneri. If Juventus lose to Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia on Saturday, an AC Milan win or draw would see them qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2013-14.
AC Milan are unbeaten in seven straight Serie A matches against Cagliari. Six of those seven matches ended in wins for Stefano Pioli’s team. Cagliari’s last win against AC Milan came during the 2016-17 season.
The Rossoneri have blown hot and cold of late at the San Siro. They have taken 29 points from 54 at home. They are +7 in goal difference.
Cagliari are unbeaten in their last three matches away from home. They have taken 17 points overall from 54 available on the road.
Pioli will be without midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers due to a suspension. Forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is injured once more and will miss the fixture. He is unlikely to return for the rest of the campaign.
Cagliari coach Leonardo Semplici has several players on the injury list going into the game. Forward Riccardo Sottil is a doubt due to a muscle injury. Defenders Walukiewicz and Arturo Calabresi are both ruled out through their respective injuries.
Forward Gaetano Pereiro is a doubt following a COVID-19 positive test. Midfield Marko Rog is a doubt following an ACL injury.
AC Milan need a win to strength their case for the Champions League. A win or draw could seal Champions League qualification for next season depending on Juventus’s result against Inter Milan on Saturday.
The Rossoneri won 2-0 earlier this season thanks to two goals from Ibrahimovic. Although the Swede won’t be available, AC Milan should claim a victory with both sides scoring and over 2.5 goals scored.