Preview: Cagliari vs. Crotone - prediction, team news, lineups

Cagliari play host to Crotone on Sunday morning looking to build on their thrilling victory over Torino last weekend.

While Crotone make the trip to the Sardegna Arena still looking for their first success since earning a return to Serie A, they are on a high after holding champions Juventus to a 1-1 draw.

Match preview

After his new side were provided with an opening triple-header against three of of last season's top eight, Cagliari boss Eusebio Di Francesco would have acknowledged it was imperative that maximum points were collected at Torino last weekend.

Although Cagliari found themselves behind to an early Andrea Belotti goal, they fought back to register a 3-2 triumph over the league's bottom side, taking them into 12th position in the standings.

Di Francesco will openly admit that it is still early days in the campaign, as well as stressing to his players that they must improve on conceding 10 goals from just four outings.

Nevertheless, the 51-year-old has Gli Isolani trending in the right direction, and victory at the weekend would almost certainly earn them a spot in the top half of the standings.

Crotone are another team who were not presented with an easy start to the season, being handed fixtures against AC Milan, Sassuolo and Juventus.

Heading into last weekend's meeting with the long-reigning champions on the back of three successive defeats was far from ideal for the newcomers, who had already shipped 10 goals.

However, a combination of an early converted penalty and the second-half dismissal of Juventus winger Federico Chiesa put I Pitagorici in a position where they could successfully hold onto a share of the spoils.

Giovanni Stroppa will naturally have hopes of making quick headway up the table, but he must first find a solution to Crotone issues at both ends of the pitch.

Eight goals were let in on recent trips to Genoa and Sassuolo, while it will not be lost on the head coach that their only two strikes from the last three outings have come from the spot.

Cagliari Serie A form: DLLW

Crotone Serie A form: LLLD

Team News

Di Francesco may opt to replace Diego Godin in the centre of his Cagliari defence as the veteran continues to deal with muscle fatigue.

Luca Ceppitelli remains out of contention with a thigh problem, and Gaston Pereiro is unlikely to return this week after a metatarsal injury.

Barring any late fitness issues, Stroppa is unlikely to make any alterations to his Crotone XI.

Ahmed Benali and Emmanuel Riviere are both pushing for a return, but Niccolo Zanellato has recorded a positive coronavirus test.

Cagliari possible starting lineup: Cragno; Zappa, Walukiewicz, Klavan, Lykogiannis; Nandez, Marin, Rog, Sottil; Pedro, Simeone

Crotone possible starting lineup: Cordaz; Magallan, Marrone, Valerio; Pereira, Luperto, Cigarini, Vulic, Reca; Messias, Simy

We say: Cagliari 2-1 Crotone

With both teams having improved considerably last weekend, we expect a competitive contest between two confident sides. Although Crotone will fancy their chances of registering another surprise result as underdogs, Cagliari will feel they can outlast the minnows having come through a tough start to the campaign with a respectable points total.

Top betting tip

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