Monza vs Cagliari Preview: Can the Strugglers Trouble the Favourites?

Cagliari sit fifth in Serie A with 13 points from six matches, while Monza are 16th on four points with a goal difference of -6. Nine points separate the sides, and on Monday evening at the Stadio Brianteo the question is whether the home side can disrupt a clear favourite.

Cagliari’s climb and Monza’s scramble

Cagliari have been the division’s steadier outfit so far, with four wins, one draw and one defeat. Their goal difference of +3 reflects an attack that has scored six times and a defence that has conceded only three. Monza have had a far harder start. They have won once, drawn once and lost four times, and have conceded 15 goals, the figure that has left them in the lower reaches of the table.

Form: Cagliari’s rhythm versus Monza’s leaks

Cagliari’s recent run is the stronger of the two. Their last five have brought five goals scored and three conceded, and their most recent results read DWWWL in the standings. Monza have been porous. Over their last five league games they have scored eight and conceded 11, an average of 2.2 goals against per match. Their season sequence of LLDLWL shows a side that has struggled to string results together.

Head-to-head: Cagliari have had the upper hand

Cagliari have won the last two meetings between the sides, a 3-0 victory in March 2025 and a 2-1 win at Monza in January of the same year. Monza’s last success in this fixture came in March 2024, a 1-0 home win, and the most recent draw was a 1-1 in November 2023.

Team news: Monza face a depleted squad

Monza will be without five players: O. Forson (injury), L. Lucchesi (red card), M. Pessina (knee injury), I. Toure (contusion) and J. Ziolkowski (foot injury). That is a significant blow for a side already searching for consistency. Cagliari also have absentees in M. Felici (knee injury), R. Idrissi (knee injury) and Y. Trepy (injury).

Our prediction

Monza have the crowd and the motivation to make this uncomfortable, but missing five players and conceding more than two goals a game at home is a heavy load to carry. Cagliari’s solid defence and better recent results should be enough to get them over the line. Expect the hosts to create moments, particularly on the break, but Cagliari’s more reliable finishing and defensive shape should edge a tight game.

Monza 1-2 Cagliari