Cagliari’s top-four start meets a Monza side nine points back

Cagliari take a nine-point lead over Monza into their seventh-round meeting, with the hosts needing a home win to improve a difficult start to the Serie A season. The Sardinians are fourth after six games; Monza sit 16th.

Cagliari have won four, drawn one and lost one, and arrive on a run of four consecutive results without defeat. Monza have one win and one draw from six, alongside four losses and a goal difference of minus six. A win would give Cagliari another chance to strengthen their position near the top, while points at the U-Power Stadium would offer Monza a lift in the table.

Cagliari will be without head coach Fabio Pisacane on the touchline. He is suspended following a post-match altercation with Luciano Spalletti, and assistant coach Murelli is set to take charge from the bench.

Calciomercato.com projects Monza in a 3-4-2-1 under Ivan Juric, with Gustavo Varela leading the attack and Dany Mota and Robinson behind him. Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Michael Folorunsho are tipped for central midfield, with Samuele Birindelli and Ricardo Mangas on the flanks. Andrea Lucchesi is listed as suspended, while Matteo Pessina, Patrick Ciurria, Jakub Ziółkowski and Touré are listed as injured.

The outlet expects Cagliari to use a 4-3-2-1. Elia Caprile is projected in goal behind a defence of Zé Pedro, Yerry Mina, Juan Rodríguez and Adam Obert. Michel Adopo, Harry Winks and Romano are tipped for midfield, with Daniel Maldini and either Alessandro Deiola or Jacopo Fazzini behind Mendy. Mattia Felici and Riyad Idrissi are out with knee injuries, and Youssoupha Trepy is also injured. These are predicted line-ups, not confirmed teams.

Monza-Cagliari closes Serie A’s seventh round at 18:30 CEST on Monday, 19 October, at the U-Power Stadium. DAZN is scheduled to show the match on television and stream it through its app and website. Cagliari’s strong opening gives them the advantage in the table; Monza need a result at home to start closing the gap.