Serie A Clash: Assessing Cagliari's Resilience Against a Title Contender Amidst Injury Woes and Head-to-Head Struggles

Cagliari currently sits 14th in the league standings with 18 points, holding a 6-point lead over the relegation zone. Their recent form shows a record of 2 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses in their last 10 matches. At home, Cagliari has secured 2 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses, resulting in a 25% win rate. Their attack heavily relies on set-piece tactics, with set-piece goals accounting for 30% of their total goals. Despite earning 4 points in the last two league matches, Cagliari faces significant squad issues due to injuries. AC Milan is positioned second in the league with 31 points and is in a crucial phase of the title race. They are unbeaten in their last 15 matches, and their away record shows 4 wins and 3 draws, remaining undefeated during that period, scoring 12 goals and conceding only 5. In their latest league match, AC Milan convincingly defeated Verona 3-0, demonstrating strong control on the road. Historically, AC Milan has been undefeated in their last 14 league encounters, with a record of 2 wins and 4 draws in their last 6 official matches against Cagliari. Cagliari has not won against AC Milan for 9 consecutive years, facing psychological and tactical disadvantages. Cagliari primarily employs a 3-5-2 or 4-5-1 formation. They have 8 players sidelined due to injury, including key players like Belotti and Florenzi, and their right-back is unavailable due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Their attack relies on solo efforts from Kljun, and they lack sufficient midfield support, with tactics centered around set-pieces and counterattacks. Their defense exhibits weaknesses in aerial ball defense and stability after the 60th minute of the match. AC Milan typically uses a 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 formation, with Nkunku being the only absentee due to injury. Prediction: AC Milan -1 Scoreline Prediction: 0:2, 1:2