Bologna vs Cagliari Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Italian Serie A
THE FACTS
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When is Bologna vs Cagliari on and what time does it start? Bologna vs Cagliari will take place on Saturday 2nd September, 2023 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Bologna vs Cagliari? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Bologna vs Cagliari on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Serie A matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Bologna vs Cagliari
Where can I stream Bologna vs Cagliari in the UK? If Bologna vs Cagliari is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
BOLOGNA
After the departure of the now late Sinisa Mihajlovic early last season, Bologna appointed former AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta. The innovative and tactically interesting former Italy international has led his Bologna side to a mid-table finish last season and they will be one of the sides eyeing up a top seven finish and potential UEFA Europa Conference League qualification.
They began the season, though, with a really tough test at home to the aforementioned likely title challengers AC Milan. The Rossoneri defeated Bologna quite comfortably by two goals to nil. Last weekend, Bologna went away to Juventus and shared a 1-1 draw with The Old Lady, despite leading the game from the 24th minute until Dusan Vlahovic’s 80th minute equaliser.
CAGLIARI
After their surprise Serie A relegation in 2021, Cagliari gained an immediate promotion back into Italy’s top-flight with Claudio Ranieri leading the Sardinians back up to the big time. They defeated Bari in the Serie B playoffs and there were emotional scenes. They will expect to be solid enough to not even require a late escape away from the bottom three this time around.
The islanders have started the 2023/24 Serie A campaign without scoring in their opening two matches, which is some typical Ranieri style. They began the season with a goalless draw away to a typically low-scoring Torino side. That was followed up with a 2-0 defeat at home to a very strong looking Internazionale side last week.
THE TEAM NEWS
BOLOGNA
Thiago Motta will be without two players, Musa Barrow and Adama Soumaoro, for this weekend’s encounter at home to newly-promoted Cagliari.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Aebischer, Moro; Orsolini, Ferguson, Ndoye; Zirkzee
UNAVAILABLE: Barrow (Injured), Soumaoro (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
CAGLIARI
Claudio Ranieri, as defensively minded as he is, is hamstrung by the fact that he is missing two key attacking players due to injury with both Gianluca Lapadula and Marko Rog still out.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Radunovic; Zappa, Dossena, Obert, Augello; Makoumbou, Sulemana; Oristanio, Nandez, Jankto; Pavoletti
UNAVAILABLE: Lapadula (Injured), Mancosu (Injured), Rog (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Despite these two sides being level on points after their opening two matches of the 2023/24 Serie A season, there is actually a bit of a gulf between these two teams; especially in terms of their performances so far. Bologna will count themselves as extremely unfortunate to have been held to a 1-1 draw by Juventus in Turin and should have had a penalty in that game, too. Cagliari are expected to be battling down towards the bottom end of the table throughout. Given their home advantage, too, Bologna are the firm favourites for this one.
TIP: BOLOGNA TO WIN
