Serie A Clash: Cagliari's Survival Bid Faces AC Milan's Title Aspirations - Tactical Battle Expected in Sardinia

Cagliari's battle for survival in the Italian Serie A continues as they host AC Milan. Cagliari, motivated by their need to avoid relegation, have shown resilience at home. Their recent form includes two wins, two draws, and two losses in their last six Serie A matches. A victory over Torino boosted their morale. This season, they have recorded five home wins, two draws, and four losses, demonstrating defensive strength against strong opponents. AC Milan enters the match in good form, undefeated in their last six Serie A games with four wins and two draws. Their attacking prowess was evident in a 3-0 victory against Verona. AC Milan's away record is also strong, with three wins and two draws in their last five away matches, scoring a consistent number of goals. They sit just one point off the top of the table, adding further motivation for a strong performance in the new year's first match. Historically, AC Milan holds a significant advantage, winning seven of the last ten encounters, with two draws and one loss. They achieved a 3-0 away win last season. Cagliari's last win against AC Milan dates back to 2017. Despite both teams missing key strikers, the midfield battle is expected to be crucial. AC Milan's midfield control, spearheaded by Modrić and Rabiot, is considered superior. Controlling the tempo could be key to breaking down Cagliari's defence. The match is expected to be tactically focused on AC Milan's midfield control versus Cagliari's low-block defence. A breakthrough may come in the later stages of the second half if AC Milan struggles to score. The predicted scorelines are 0-1, 1-1, or 2-2. Cagliari +1.