Cagliari vs AC Milan preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news, kick off time & prediction

AC Milan visit Cagliari in Serie A on Monday evening where a win is needed in order to reopen a three-point gap to Inter in the race for the Scudetto.

Milan hold a game in hand over their city title rivals, but the two now sit level on 40 points after Inter beat Juventus in the Derby d'Italia on Sunday night.

The Rossoneri's unbeaten run in the league came to an end when they were defeated by Juve at the beginning of January, but they've since bounced back and won their last two games despite having to deal with an injury-hit squad that is missing a number of key players.

Cagliari, meanwhile, sit just one point above the relegation zone and are yet to pick up a point in 2021.

Here's 90min's preview of the clash.

Where to Watch

When is kick off? Monday 18 January
What time is kick off? 19:45 (GMT)
Where is it played? Sardegna Arena
TV Channel/live stream? Premier Sports 1, LiveScore app
Referee? Rosario Abisso

Team News

Crucially, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back from injury, while new signing Soualiho Meite is available for Milan and is an option should anything happen to the usual duo of Alessio Romagnoli and Simon Kjaer at the back. Talk of deals for Fikayo Tomori and Mario Mandzukic continues to rumble on.

Alexis Saelemaekers is back for Stefano Pioli's side having recovered from a thigh injury too, but Milan are still without plenty of key names.

Ismael Bennacer remains injured, while Ante Rebic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Rade Krunic and Theo Hernandez have all tested positive for COVID-19. Rafael Leao is also missing through suspension, giving Milan a selection headache heading into the clash.

Cagliari are also without some key figures. Marko Rog remains a long-term absentee, while Paolo Farago and Zito Luvumbo are also out injured. Ragnar Klavan and Andrea Carboni are unavailable following positive COVID-19 tests.

Predicted Lineups

Cagliari: (4-3-3): Vicario; Zappa, Walukiewics, Ceppitelli, Lykogiannis; Nandez, Marin, Caligara; Sottil, Pavoletti, Tramoni.

Milan: (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Dalot; Kessie, Tonali; Castillejo, Diaz, Hauge; Ibrahimovic.

Recent Form

Milan's loss to Juventus on 6 January was a harsh one to take, but they've bounced back with two victories over Torino since.

The first was a convincing win over 90 minutes, while the second saw a 0-0 draw decided on penalties to see the Rossoneri through to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia, where they'll clash with Inter once again.

Despite being hit with a number of injuries, Milan have managed to keep afloat. And with their top scorer back in Ibrahimovic, Milan will only be boosted heading into the second half of the season. The 39-year-old has bagged 11 goals from 12 games and is an experienced character in a largely youthful side.

Cagliari haven't won a game since their Coppa Italia victory over Hellas Verona in November. A good performance against the league leaders will stand them in good stead for an upcoming relegation six-pointer with Genoa.

Here's how each side has fared in their last five games.

AC Milan
Milan 0 (5)-(4) 0 Torino (12/1)
Milan 2-0 Torino (9/1)
Milan 1-3 Juventus (6/1)
Benevento 0-2 Milan (3/1)
Milan 3-2 Lazio (23/12)

Cagliari
Atalanta 3-1 Cagliari (14/1)
Fiorentina 1-0 Cagliari (10/1)
Cagliari 1-2 Benevento (6/1)
Cagliari 1-4 Napoli (3/1)
Roma 3-2 Cagliari (23/12)

Prediction

Despite Milan still being restricted by unavailable players galore, there are positives to take from the return of Ibrahimovic and the business being conducted in the transfer market.

A resilient win on penalties showed their nerve and Pioli will have drilled his squad into knowing how important a three points this is against favourable opposition, in order to keep ahead of Inter.

Cagliari can try their best at a slightly weakened Rossoneri, but the league leaders will prevail.

Prediction: Cagliari 0-2 Milan