Cagliari vs AC Milan Prediction & Betting Tips - Serie A

Prediction published on 08/01/2020, 05:55  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 08/01/2020 at 10:14 in Serie A Prediction

AC Milan face a big test this weekend when they take on one of the surprise packages of the Serie A in Cagliari. While the January transfer window hasn't provided as many headlines as fans might expect, Milan supporters cannot complain about the inactivity of their club. Drastic action was required after their final game before the Italian winter break, a 5-0 defeat to Atalanta. It was a fitting note to end a dismal decade on for Milan, a ten-year period that produced only one major trophy: The Serie A title way back in 2010-2011. 

So glorious does that time appear for Milan that the people in charge of the club have attempted to replicate it by bringing back Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a key player in that title win. Although Ibrahimovic is now 38-years-old, his signing isn't for the feel-good factor alone. Since leaving Milan in 2012, Ibrahimovic has scored 238 goals for various clubs. Goals are something that Milan have been sorely lacking, the Rossoneri managing only 16 in 18 Serie A games this season. 

Compare this with Cagliari and it's not hard to see why Milan languish in 12th place while the Isolani chase Champions League football in sixth. With 33 goals this season, Cagliari have scored more than double the amount of Milan. 

Joao Pedro is the focal point of their attack with 11 goals and he's supported by the likes of Giovanni Simeone and Radja Nainggolan. In Nainggolan, Cagliari have got one of the contenders for player of the season, a creative force that Milan could badly do with. It is their weak midfield which leaves the defence exposed and the attack hungry. Ibrahimovic may look on in envy at the supply provided to his attacking counterpoints this Saturday. Although their form has been shaky, we expect Cagliari to get back to winning ways here.