Inter Milan vs Cagliari Prediction: Nerazzurri to take another step towards the title

Inter Milan are closing in on the Italian title with a healthy 14-point lead at the top of the table. Given that they meet second-placed AC Milan a little over a week after this Cagliari clash, the Nerazzurri are potentially two wins from glory.

Sunday night pits them against a Cagliari side that have climbed to 13th in the Serie A standings, but they’re just four points clear of the drop zone. They are at the top of what looks to be a seven-way battle to avoid two relegation spots, with Salernitana cut adrift at the bottom.

Cagliari will have a tough time boosting their survival chances in a visit to a fantastic Inter side.

Team news
The standout team news is that Lautaro Martinez is banned for Inter Milan, alongside Benjamin Pavard. The hosts are also without the injured Stefan de Vrij, while Juan Cuadrado is a doubt.

Inter will likely bring Alessandro Bastoni back into the starting line-up here, with Alexis Sanchez partnering Marcus Thuram in Lautaro’s absence.

Cagliari have to deal without suspended pair Nahitan Nandez and Alessandro Deiola. They look light up front, with Leonardo Pavoletti and Andrea Petagna both ruled out.

Match odds

Inter are understandably heavy favourites at 1/6 to register the win, while they are odds on at 1/2 to win with a -1 start on the handicap and 11/8 with a -2 start. Cagliari are on offer at 14/1 to cause a shock while the draw is available at 13/2.

Goals are also expected on Sunday with over 2.5 priced at 2/5 and over 3.5 only an even-money shot, although they may be only going in one way as both teams to score is evens with at least one clean sheet the 8/11 favourite.

Inter Milan to win to nil @ 9/10

Inter Milan have been a class apart in Serie A this season, winning 26 of 31 games and conceding only 15 goals. They have scored 15 goals more than any other side and let in nine fewer.

In 2024, Inter have won 12 of 13 league games and have outscored opponents 33-7, so it’s little surprise that they are heavy favourites against Cagliari. After all, the Sardinians have lost 10 of their 15 away trips in the league this term, scoring just nine goals.

Cagliari have scored just three goals across nine trips to the sides above them in Serie A, with a clear gap forming between the bottom eight and the rest. With Inter winning to nil in 10 of their 13 home victories, look to them to keep a clean sheet again, with a 2-0 victory the standout correct score option at 11/2.

Federico Dimarco to score anytime @ 11/4

Marcus Thuram and Alexis Sanchez may be leading the line with Lautaro out, but left wing-back Federico Dimarco is the standout in the scoring stakes. He has found the net in three of his last six appearances heading into this contest.

His four goals at San Siro in Serie A this term is a mark only bettered by Thuram and the suspended Martinez. With the defender in form and up against a poor side who will allow him chances, Dimarco stands out to score anytime at 11/4.

Football Betting tips from Betfred Insights.