Cagliari vs Milan prediction, H2H and probable lineups - January 2, 2026
One of the matches of Serie A's 18th round will take place on Friday at the Unipol Domus stadium in Sardinia, where Cagliari hosts one of the league leaders—Milan. Here’s a betting tip for this clash with a strong chance of success.
Match preview
Cagliari kicks off 2026 in familiar territory—fighting for survival. The team sits 14th, hovering just above the relegation zone, and continues to struggle with squad issues. Nevertheless, in the last round, the Islanders pulled off a sensational away win over Torino (2-1), thanks to Prati and the in-form Kılıçsoy.
But prior to that victory, the team had won just one of their previous twelve league matches. Squad problems persist: Belotti, Folorunsho, and Luvumbo are all absent, and the team’s play heavily relies on individual flashes of brilliance. Starting the year against Milan is a daunting challenge—one that this Cagliari side rarely overcomes.
Milan finishes 2025 on a high and heads into 2026 with a golden opportunity to climb to the top of the table. Allegri’s side hasn’t lost in Serie A since August and has won three of their last four matches. In the previous round, the Rossoneri blew Verona away in ten minutes, scoring three goals—including a brace from Nkunku, who finally opened his account in the league.
Discipline is particularly notable: Milan is one of the few teams not involved in cup competitions, and Allegri is betting on a stable, well-drilled lineup. The switch to a 3-5-2 formation with Pulisic and Nkunku up front is working effectively, and the return of Leão could add even more attacking variety. Away at Cagliari, Milan have traditionally felt right at home.
Probable lineups
- Cagliari: Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Luperto; Palestra, Adopo, Deiola, Prati, Idrissi; Esposito, Kılıçsoy
- Milan: Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Nkunku
Match facts and head-to-head
- Cagliari haven’t beaten Milan since May 2017
- Milan are unbeaten in Serie A since August—15 matches without a loss
- Last season, Cagliari fought back from 1-3 down to draw 3-3 at home against Milan
Prediction
Milan come into this match in red-hot form and with the right focus shouldn’t encounter any major problems. Given Cagliari’s instability and the absence of several key players, the Rossoneri look poised to comfortably take all three points.
