Prediction: Cagliari vs Hellas Verona

Cagliari host Hellas Verona in the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia at the Unipol Domus, with the winner earning a quarterfinal trip to Roma later in the season. It is a mismatch on paper, a Serie A side against a team that dropped into Serie B this summer, but neither club arrives at full strength.

Verdict: Cagliari to win
Best Odds: 2.30
Bookmaker: 20Bet

Cagliari

Cagliari have made a solid enough start to their Serie A campaign, beating Parma on opening weekend before a narrow 0-1 loss at home to Inter in round two, leaving them with 3 points from two matches and 12th place in the table.

They reached this tie by beating Arezzo 1-0 in the previous round. Manager Fabio Pisacane has been credited with instilling real defensive organization early on, though he described his own team as “too fearful at times” after the Inter defeat.

Cagliari Team News

Pisacane will not be in the dugout for this one. He picked up a red card in the win over Arezzo for an animated reaction to a foul on Daniel Maldini, which brings an automatic one-match ban in the competition, and the club was separately fined 3,000 euros for causing delay before the second half of that game.

Defender Yerry Mina was unavailable for the Inter match and his fitness will be further assesed.

Hellas Verona

Verona reached this round the hard way, needing penalties to get past Virtus Entella after a 2-2 draw, winning the shootout 5-4.

Life back in Serie B has started modestly, a 1-1 draw at Padova in their league opener. The bigger story at the club is a full reset under returning coach Marco Baroni, back at Verona on a two-year deal after leaving Torino, who has been explicit that he wants his team playing “calcio offensivo,” attacking football, a notable shift in ambition after last season’s relegation.

Hellas Verona Team News

Pawel Dawidowicz is out with an ankle injury.

The squad has been substantially rebuilt for the Serie B promotion push: goalkeeper Leali, defender Zappa, defender Korac (in from Venezia), and forward Mulattieri (in from Sassuolo) are among the new arrivals, while longtime goalkeeper Montipò has departed along with several fringe players as the club trims a squad that was too big for a second-tier campaign.

Cagliari vs Hellas Verona Key Factors to Consider

• Cagliari won the two sides’ most recent meeting 4-0, back in January 2026.
• Fabio Pisacane will not be on the bench for this game, serving a one-match ban for his sending-off reaction in the win over Arezzo.
• Cagliari have taken 3 points from their first two Serie A matches this season, a win over Parma followed by a tight 0-1 loss to Inter.
• Verona needed a penalty shootout, 5-4, to eliminate Virtus Entella in the previous round after a 2-2 draw.
• New Verona coach Marco Baroni has publicly committed to attacking football, a philosophy shift the club is still only weeks into implementing.
• The winner of this tie faces Roma away in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals.

Conclusion

Cagliari should have the quality edge here even without their manager on the touchline, a Serie A side at home against Serie B opposition still finding its feet under a new coach. Pisacane’s absence and Verona’s newly stated attacking approach add a little genuine uncertainty, which is reflected in odds that are not as short as the gap in divisions might suggest. Cagliari to win is the pick.

Verdict: Cagliari to win
Best Odds: 2.30
Bookmaker: 20Bet

Soccer Predictions

Championship News

Prediction: Queens Park Rangers vs Cardiff City

Soccer Predictions

Soccer Predictions

Prediction: VfL Osnabrück vs Bayern Munich

Soccer Predictions

Prediction: HEBC Hamburg vs Borussia Dortmund

Soccer Predictions

Prediction: Stoke City vs Norwich City

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.