Napoli vs Cagliari - prediction, team news, lineups

Having made a perfect start to their Scudetto defence by winning last week, Napoli will welcome Cagliari to Stadio Maradona on Saturday.

The Serie A champions scored in either half of their opening success, while their Sardinian visitors frustrated Fiorentina; now, the pair reprise a famous meeting in Naples three months ago.

Match preview

Napoli looked every inch Italian champions last weekend, sweeping aside newly-promoted Sassuolo with goals from a fan favourite and established star who could soon share top billing at the Maradona.

Scorer of the crucial opening goal when the Partenopei beat Cagliari on last term's dramatic final matchday, Serie A MVP Scott McTominay guided in an early header at Mapei Stadium, before debutant Kevin De Bruyne found the net with a slightly fortunate free kick.

They also struck the post twice in Reggio Emilia, laying down a marker of intent to defend the title far better than when finishing only 10th as Scudetto holders in 2023-24.

By comparison, Antonio Conte's side seem to be made of much sterner stuff, now going unbeaten in 13 league games dating back to February.

As Napoli have also lost just one of their last 28 Serie A meetings with Cagliari, while winning 19, few would back against them going into the international break with maximum points.

During that dismal run, Cagliari have lost on all of their last three visits to Naples, so precedent is certainly not on their side this weekend.

The Rossoblu's winless streak in Serie A season-openers stretched to 10 games last Sunday, when they salvaged a last-gasp draw at home to Fiorentina.

It was ex-Napoli defender Sebastiano Luperto who followed in Cagliari's rich recent history of late goals by scoring deep into second-half stoppage time at Unipol Domus.

Under Davide Nicola, the Sardinian side narrowly avoided relegation last term - only making sure of safety on the penultimate matchday - before the survival specialist left for promoted Cremonese and unproven coach Fabio Pisacane was handed the reins.

Weeks after winning the Coppa Italia primavera by beating AC Milan's youth team in the final, his new side needed penalties to scrape past Virtus Entella in the senior version of Italy's national cup earlier this month - but picking up a point on Serie A's opening matchday should help boost confidence.

Napoli Serie A form: W

Cagliari Serie A form: D

Cagliari form (all competitions): W D

Team News

Antonio Conte has everyone available except last season's leading scorer Romelu Lukaku - who may be ruled out for three months - and summer signing Miguel Gutierrez, currently recovering from ankle surgery.

With Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone both leaving, and potential replacement Rasmus Hojlund yet to arrive, Lorenzo Lucca deputises for Lukaku, who suffered a serious thigh injury in Napoli's final friendly.

Ballon D'Or contender Scott McTominay took his Serie A goal tally into double figures for 2025 by finding the net last week, and he will again join De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka in an imposing midfield.

Meanwhile, Cagliari have just sold main marksman Roberto Piccoli to Fiorentina, and veteran striker Leonardo Pavoletti is still sidelined by injury, so Sebastiano Esposito could lead their attack.

Gennaro Borrelli started up front against Fiorentina, while Semih Kilicsoy and Zito Luvumbo are other options for Fabio Pisacane in the final third.

At the back, Yerry Mina is set to partner Sebastiano Luperto. The latter made his league debut for Napoli back in 2015, and last week's goal makes him the only defender to score in all of the last four Serie A seasons.

Napoli possible starting lineup: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera; Lobotka; Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Lucca

Cagliari possible starting lineup: Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Obert; Adopo, Prati; Luvumbo, Folorunsho, Idrissi; Esposito

We say: Napoli 2-0 Cagliari

Repeating the result from that fateful day in May, Napoli can win by two goals at home to a Cagliari side that will face another long fight against relegation.

The hosts have significant firepower to call on and are devilishly difficult to beat, so seeing off the Sardinians should prove straightforward.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.