Cagliari prepare to host AC Milan at the Unipol Domus on Friday in the Italian Serie A, as both teams look to start the new year with a win.
Cagliari closed out 2025 on a positive note with a 2–1 victory over Torino on Saturday, leaving them 14th in the Serie A standings after winning two of their final four league matches.
The Islanders have managed just one win this season against a side currently in the top 12, suggesting their position is a fair reflection of their level.
Even so, this represents their best points return after 17 games in the top flight since the 2019/20 campaign, giving Fabio Pisacane’s men confidence heading into the new year.
Milan, meanwhile, emphatically ended 2025 with a 3–0 win over Verona on Sunday, stretching their unbeaten Serie A run to 15 games and finishing the year just one point and one place behind leaders and city rivals Inter.
That result also delivered a timely first league clean sheet in nearly a month, helping the Rossoneri respond to their Super Cup defeat to Napoli before Christmas.
With Milan still unbeaten on the road in league action this season, they will be confident of beginning 2026 on a strong note.
Read our Cagliari vs AC Milan predictions and preview to find out, but remember to also check our Italian Serie A predictions.
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Cagliari vs AC Milan prediction: Visitors to claim a win
Key statistics
- Their last five competitive meetings have seen both teams score against each other.
- AC Milan have won in three of their last five encounters against Cagliari.
- The Rossoneri have gone into the break in front in four of their previous five clashes with Cagliari.
Correct score prediction: Cagliari 1-2 AC Milan
We believe that the visitors will have an upper hand against the host in this game and we are predicting a 2-1 victory for AC Milan. Despite both teams having a poor form heading into this tie, we expect that the Rossoneri’s quality should help them get the win.
Also, AC Milan have had the upper hand against Cagliari in recent time and will be looking to use that confidence this time. They will also be looking to end their bad patch and return to winning ways.
Pre-match odds and win probability: AC Milan strong favourites
- Home: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%
- Draw: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.0%
- Away: 11/20 (1.55) – 64.5%
*Odds provided by Ladbrokes. Subject to change.*
AC Milan are heavily favoured to win this match, with odds of 1.55 suggesting a 64.5% chance of victory. Cagliari are clear underdogs at 6.00 (16.7%), while the draw is priced at 4.00, implying a 25.0% probability.
The odds reflect Milan’s strong form and consistency, particularly away from home, although Cagliari may still look to make things difficult if they can stay organised and competitive.
Most recent head-to-head: A strong advantage for Milan
The last five meetings between these two clubs show a dominant trend in favour of the visitors. In this sequence, the Rossoneri have secured three victories, while the remaining two games ended in a draw.
The most recent game resulted in a 1-1 draw at Milan in 2025, followed by another 3-3 draw in 2024. Despite the recent draws, the Rossoneri have gone on to win the next three games in a row.
Italy Serie A 11/01/25
AC Milan
Cagliari
Italy Serie A 09/11/24
Cagliari
AC Milan
Italy Serie A 11/05/24
AC Milan
Cagliari
Coppa Italia 02/01/24
AC Milan
Cagliari
Italy Serie A 27/09/23
Cagliari
AC Milan
After reviewing our key Cagliari vs AC Milan predictions, be sure to visit our website for the remaining football betting tips today.
Cagliari preview: Key returns, but squad still stretched
Cagliari can welcome Juan Rodriguez and Yerry Mina back after illness, providing a timely boost in defence. Despite this, several players remain unavailable, including Andrea Belotti, Ze Pedro, Mattia Felici and Michael Folorunsho.
Folorunsho has recently undergone surgery on an MCL injury and is expected to miss several weeks, while Angola winger Zito Luvumbo is away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted lineup: Caprile (GK), Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Palestra, Adopo, Deiola, Prati, Idrissi, Esposito & Kilicsoy
Last five fixtures
- 27.12.25 – Torino 1 – 2 Cagliari
- 21.12.25 – Cagliari 2 – 2 Pisa
- 13.12.25 – Atalanta 2 – 1 Cagliari
- 07.12.25 – Cagliari 1 – 0 AS Roma
- 03.12.25 – Napoli 2 – 1 Cagliari
AC Milan preview: Attacking boost but absences remain
Milan are hopeful of having Rafael Leao available on Friday after the injury-hit forward returned to full training. However, the Rossoneri will still be without Matteo Gabbia and Santiago Gimenez, who both remain sidelined through injury.
Predicted lineup: Maignan (GK), Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic, Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi, Pulisic & Nkunku
Last five fixtures
- 28.12.25 – AC Milan 3 – 0 Verona
- 18.12.25 – Napoli 2 – 0 AC Milan
- 14.12.25 – AC Milan 2 – 2 Sassuolo
- 08.12.25 – Torino 2 – 3 AC Milan
- 04.12.25 – Lazio 1 – 0 AC Milan
Player to watch: Christian Pulisic
AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic is currently the most important player in the Milan squad and he has been in excellent form throughout the current campaign. The American international has recorded eight goals and two assists in his last five appearances.
The winger scored in his last game against Hellas Verona and we expect him to be the primary creator for the Rossoneri in this encounter as they look to exploit any space left by the home defence.