Serie A: I Sardi Up for a Challenge!

Juventus vs Cagliari

This week, it’s Cagliari’s turn to attempt the near-impossible…beat Juventus. But hey, when they make the trip from Sardinia, they’ll start at 0-0.

Turin is the venue for another big game in Serie A this weekend as leaders and champions Juventus host Cagliari. No one will pretend it isn’t a mammoth task for Rolando Maran’s side, but I Sardi are on a nice little run of form so let’s see how they do.

And Max Allegri’s champions have recently dropped points at the Juventus Stadium in a 1-1 draw with mid-table Genoa; that’s the only game the Bianconeri has failed to win, though, as they sit at the top of Serie A already six points clear of Napoli and Inter.

Talking Points

Ronaldo’s impact

Since his summer switch from Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo has rarely been out of the Serie A 2018 news. After taking a while to get his first Serie A goal he has exploded into life, scoring for fun, seven in Serie A, while making big goals for colleagues and courting controversy, notably with a red card against Valencia.

If the Old Lady looked imperious last season, then the addition of Ronaldo has sent some shock waves around Europe’s other big leagues. Inspired by their new superstar, the Bianconeri moved up to yet another level and look ready to take on Europe, having a very impressive start to their Champions League campaign In the recent win over Manchester United. Paulo Dybala showed why he is such a crucial part of Juve’s attack, deputising for the injured Mario Mandzukic and scoring the winner.

Paulo Dybala expected to step up against Cagliari in Serie A match — Juventus’ Paulo Dybala celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates

But who was Dybala’s supplier? Ronaldo, of course!

Back in Italy, the Serie A 2018 odds point very firmly towards another Scudetto for Juventus after a recent convincing win over title rivals Napoli made it seven victories from seven. Napoli and Inter, in particular, will chase hard, but I don’t think they’ll hold out much hope of Cagliari springing a surprise on Saturday night.

Leonardo Bonucci looks like he’s never been away from Juventus, playing with his customary calm authority at the back. This is a team harder than ever to beat.

Cagliari are building a future

I Sardi are building a new stadium as they become established again in the top flight, and they’re temporarily at home in the 16,000 capacity Sardegna Arena. Maran’s men are quite happy in their temporary abode though, winning the last two to lift them up to a respectable 12^th in the Serie A league table.

Their success is built on a solid formation and a hard-working defensive unit, but they do have an attacking threat of their own. After a very productive pre-season, Leonardo Pavoletti has five goals already including an early header in the 2-1 win over bottom club Chievo last week. Brazilian forward Joao Pedro sits alongside Pavoletti and provides the ammunition for his partner.

Meanwhile, Cagliari have conceded just 11 goals in ten league games, with captain Luca Ceppitelli and Fabio Pisacane the being centre-back partnership tasked with stopping Ronaldo and chums.

Good luck with that, lads!

History

Of course, Juventus have won seven Scudettos in a row and, in all likelihood, will make it eight, but a more little-known fact is that Cagliari won the league title in 1970, inspired by the great Luigi Riva, one of the best strikers Serie A has seen.

But while Juventus seek European domination, I Sardi’s best effort was a semi-final UEFA Cup appearance back in 1994, losing to Inter.

Cagliari come into this game in decent form with just a single defeat in five games and seven points from the last three. But they don’t have a great recent record against the Bianconeri.

Juventus has won the last four games between these two teams, scoring ten unanswered goals and the overall head to heads are 23 to four in Juve’s favour with ten draws.

So let’s take a look at the SBOBET odds to find the value.

Betting Tip

	Juventus vs Cagliari	Juventus First Half -0.75 @ 1.80
	November 4, 03:30 (GMT+8)

I can’t say the value is on a home win at odds of 1.17; Cagliari at 15.50, or even the draw at 6.60, would be one of the results of the season.

If you want to try for the scoreline, 2-0 is the most likely at 5.60. And though they are well-organised, I really can’t see the Sardinian’s defence holding out for 45 minutes.