Inter vs Cagliari: Prediction, H2H and probable lineups — April 17, 2026
On Friday, April 17, Inter Milan welcome Cagliari to San Siro for Matchday 33 of Serie A. Inter are firmly in the driver’s seat and marching toward the title, while Cagliari are desperately fighting for survival, clinging to 16th place.
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Match preview
Christian Chivu’s Inter are currently a runaway train that rarely checks the rearview mirror. After a spectacular 4-3 win over Como and a 5-2 triumph against Roma, it’s clear: the attack is on fire, but the defense is starting to show cracks. With 75 points, the Nerazzurri are 9 clear of Napoli. A victory over Cagliari could make their coronation a matter of weeks. The main absentee is Lautaro Martinez, who is nursing an injury, but Marcus Thuram is in such blistering form that it feels like he could score single-handedly.
Cagliari, under Fabio Pisacane, arrive in Milan off the back of a crucial 1-0 win over Cremonese. Those three points gave them breathing space, pulling six points clear of the drop zone. In 2026, the Sardinians are banking on gritty football and the experience of Yerry Mina in defense. At San Siro, they’ll undoubtedly park the bus and hope for some Gianluca Gaetano magic on the counter.
The gulf in quality and motivation is massive. Inter want to wrap up the Scudetto as soon as possible to focus on the final stages of the cup competitions. Cagliari will resist, but the depth of Inter’s bench should prove decisive in the second half.
Probable lineups
Inter: Sommer – Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni – Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco – Thuram, P. Esposito
Cagliari: Caprile – Ze Pedro, Mina, Rodriguez – Palestra, Folorunsho, Gaetano, Deiola, Obert – S. Esposito, Borrelli
Match facts and head-to-head
- In the last five matches, Inter have claimed four wins and one draw
- Inter have won two of their last six, drawing three and conceding in five of them
- Cagliari have won just one of their last nine games, conceding in seven
Prediction
I expect an open game with plenty of goals. My pick: over 2.5 goals at 1.55
