Napoli vs Cagliari Prediction & Betting Tips (30 August)

Napoli welcome Cagliari to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30 for their second Serie A fixture of the season, riding high after a confident 2-0 win over Sassuolo. Antonio Conte’s side, fresh off their fourth Scudetto in May, have reinforced their squad with marquee signings like Kevin De Bruyne, who scored on debut, and Lorenzo Lucca, who deputizes for the injured Romelu Lukaku. Scott McTominay, last season’s MVP, continues to be a midfield dynamo, combining grit with attacking flair. Napoli’s home form remains formidable, unbeaten in their last 11 at the Maradona, and they’ve not lost to Cagliari in nine consecutive meetings.

Cagliari, under new head coach Fabio Pisacane, are still finding their rhythm. Their season opener ended in a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina, with Roberto Piccoli netting the equalizer. Pisacane, promoted from youth coaching duties, has inherited a squad that blends experience with raw talent, including Yerry Mina in defense and Alessandro Deiola in midfield. However, their away record is troubling—just one win in their last six on the road—and they’ve struggled to keep clean sheets, conceding in their last two matches. With Sebastiano Luperto returning from injury, the backline may gain some stability, but Napoli’s attacking depth poses a serious threat.

Tactically, Conte’s Napoli are expected to dominate possession and press high, exploiting Cagliari’s tendency to sit deep and absorb pressure. De Bruyne’s vision and McTominay’s late runs into the box will test Pisacane’s defensive setup, which may rely heavily on Mina’s aerial prowess and Caprile’s reflexes in goal. Cagliari’s best hope lies in counterattacks, with Zito Luvumbo’s pace and Piccoli’s finishing ability offering a potential sting. Yet, Napoli’s midfield trio of Lobotka, Anguissa, and De Bruyne is likely to control the tempo, starving Cagliari of meaningful chances.

Given the form, squad depth, and historical edge, Napoli are clear favorites. However, Cagliari have shown flashes of resilience and could snatch a goal through a moment of individual brilliance or a set-piece. Expect Napoli to take an early lead, with Cagliari responding in the second half before the hosts seal the win. A 2-1 scoreline feels fitting—tight enough to reflect Cagliari’s grit, but decisive enough to underline Napoli’s superiority.