On Saturday, November 22, at the Unipol Domus, Cagliari host Genoa in the match that opens Matchday 12 of the Serie A season. A clash between two teams desperately seeking points to improve their league position and likely to fight for top-flight survival until the very end. After the first eleven rounds, the Sardinians have done slightly better, sitting three points above the relegation zone currently occupied by Genoa. This means that with a win, Pisacane’s side could move six points clear of the danger area, boosting their chances of avoiding relegation. A defeat, however, would see them caught by De Rossi’s team, being dragged for the first time this season into the bottom three. A match, therefore, with high stakes and one that promises intensity and balance.

Cagliari's recent form and key stats

Cagliari enter this match eager to bounce back, having gone seven games without a win, with a very negative run of four defeats and three draws. In their last league match, played on November 8, the Sardinians still managed an important point, drawing 0-0 away against Como, showing at least signs of regained defensive solidity.

Fabio Pisacane’s team currently sit 14th in Serie A with 10 points, the result of two wins, four draws and five defeats, averaging 0.82 goals scored and 1.27 conceded per match. This is a team with clear offensive issues—having failed to score in their last two matches—but also with some defensive weaknesses.

The Rossoblù must return to picking up points at home, as they come from three consecutive home defeats against Inter, Bologna and Sassuolo, conceding twice in all three and scoring only one goal in total.

For the match against Genoa, Pisacane will have most of the squad available, missing only long-term absentees Belotti, Deiola and Rog. The attacking responsibility will once again fall on Sebastiano Esposito, scorer of Cagliari’s most recent league goal on October 30 against Sassuolo.

Genoa's recent form and key stats

A rather positive moment for Genoa who, after the resignation of Patrick Vieira, seem to have changed gear, remaining unbeaten in their last two Serie A matches. After securing their first league win—beating Sassuolo 1-2 on November 3—the Rossoblù drew 2-2 with Fiorentina one week later at home.

Thanks to these two positive results, Daniele De Rossi’s men have slowly climbed to 18th place with 7 points, coming from 1 win, 4 draws and 6 losses, averaging 0.73 goals scored and 1.45 conceded per match. Offensively, Genoa are showing signs of improvement, having scored twice in each of their last two matches, while defensively there is still significant work to be done for the new coach.

Despite the difficulty of this match, one stat offers hope: their only win so far came away from home on November 2, when they beat Sassuolo 1-2.

Regarding team selection, De Rossi is expected to trust Lorenzo Colombo again up front, scorer of the late 2-2 equaliser against Fiorentina. In midfield, Ruslan Malinovskyi also returns after serving a suspension, while there are no major absences to report.

Cagliari vs Genoa prediction by BetMines

As two sides likely to battle for survival until the final matchday, BetMines expects a very balanced and hard-fought encounter. According to the algorithm, the home side are slight favourites: Cagliari’s win probability is estimated at 40%, while the visitors’ stands at 32%.

As for the final outcome, the recommended tips suggest the Double Chance 1X, meaning Cagliari win or draw—a result consistent with the last three meetings in Sardinia, which ended with one home win and two draws.

Considering that two of the weakest attacks in Serie A face each other (just 9 and 8 goals scored so far), a low-scoring match is the most likely scenario. Not surprisingly, the Under 2.5 is estimated at 53% probability.

For these reasons, the two suggested tips from BetMines are Double Chance 1X and Under 2.5 goals.

Probable lineups Cagliari vs Genoa

CAGLIARI (4-2-3-1): Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Obert; Folorunsho, Prati; Palestra, Gaetano, Felici; Se. Esposito. Coach: Pisacane

GENOA (3-5-2): Leali; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vásquez; Norton-Cuffy, Thorsby, Frendrup, Malinovskyi, Martin; Vitinha, Colombo. Coach: De Rossi