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Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to extend on their recent Serie A charge, Cagliari will travel to Turin on Friday night when they meet Torino.
Torino
Starting with the hosts, while Torino might have come flying out of the traps when opening up the 2024/25 campaign, Paolo Vanoli’s men have come crashing back down to earth. Eventually forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate against Fiorentina last weekend, the Bulls have collected a sole point from all of their previous four consecutive Serie A appearances. Tumbling out the top-half of the table, the Turin-based outfit have remarkably notched just a single win from any of their last 12 Serie A showdowns – a rut that stems all the way back to October 25th. Watching their European dreams take what could be a critical blow, Torino have also gained a reputation for their extended issues on home soil. Signing off 2024 with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Bologna, Friday’s hosts have landed just one win from any of their previous 10 straight matchups in front of their own supporters.
Torino Team News
Shown a first-half red card against Fiorentina last weekend, French starlet Ali Dembele will miss out through suspension on Friday night. Likewise, dealing with what has become a major injury crisis in Turin, Torino will once again be without the likes of Zannetos Savva, Emirhan Ilkhan, Perr Schuurs and former Atalanta Duvan Zapata.
However, coming off the bench and finding the net in Tuscany last week after returning from a minor knock, Gvidas Gineitis could make a first start of 2025. Notching five Serie A goals since arriving from Southampton last summer, Scotland international Che Adams will play a leading role in the final third.
Cagliari
As for the visitors, putting in what was a season-best display last weekend as they stormed their way to a 4-1 romp against Lecce, Cagliari are enjoying what has become a crucial Serie A flurry. Getting the New Year underway with a 2-1 victory away at Monza, Davide Nicola’s men have come skyrocketing up the table. Dragging themselves out of the drop zone, the Islanders have now collected seven points from their previous three Serie A appearances. Although the Sardinia-based outfit might be seeking some crucial defensive steel, Cagliari will certainly be excited by their most recent showdown against Friday’s hosts. Claiming an action-packed 3-2 win when they welcomed Torino to the Unipol Domus for their reverse Serie A meeting back on October 20th, some in Nicola’s camp could be smelling the chance to spring a similar upset here.
Cagliari Team News
Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Cagliari ill travel to Turin without the duo of Zito Luvumbo and academy graduate Giuseppe Ciocci. However, ahead of Friday’s showdown, Nicola’s side have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh concerns to worry about.
Former Everton defender Yerry Mina will partner Sebastiano Luperto at the heart of Cagliari’s defence this weekend. While Atalanta loanee Roberto Piccoli might have notched just a single Serie A strike since the end of November, the 23-year-old should keep his spot leading the line.
Torino vs Cagliari Key Factors to Consider
- When Torino and Cagliari met for their reverse Serie A showdown on October 20th, Friday’s collected a dramatic 3-2 win at the Unipol Domus.
- In fact, Cagliari have lost just one of their previous five straight meetings against Torino.
- The Bulls have remarkably notched just a single win from any of their last 12 Serie A showdowns – a rut that stems all the way back to October 25th.
- Likewise, Torino have recorded just a single Serie A victory in Turin since the end of August.
- Cagliari have collected seven points from their previous three Serie A appearances.
Conclusion
While Cagliari might travel to Turin on Friday night pencilled in as a real underdog contender, the Islanders are enjoying what has become a major Serie A flurry. Mustering seven points from their previous three top-flight appearances, Nicola’s men have skyrocketed their way out of the relegation zone. Landing a thumping 4-1 victory against Lecce last weekend, Cagliari should also be excited by their reverse showdown against Friday’s hosts. Landing a dramatic 3-2 win when they welcomed Torino to the Unipol Domus on October 20th, we could be treated to an enjoyable contest here.
Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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