- In all competitions, Cagliari have won three, drawn two and lost one of their six home games this season.
- Arezzo have won one, drawn one and lost two of their last four away matches in all competitions.
- Both of Cagliari's last two games have ended in a draw, a 2-2 away to 1. FC Union Berlin and a 0-0 home to OGC Nice.
Side with the Sardinian Islanders
Cagliari should have too much for Arezzo to secure a safe passage to the next round of the 2026-2027 Coppa Italia, but Cristian Bucchi's team could cause a few problems on Friday. The Sardinian hosts come into this fixture in good form, having won two and drawn three of their last five, but remain unbeaten in that run. They are the clear favourites here, but the 1.35 price of the hosts looks a touch short and Arezzo's outsider quote of 9.0 is also very generous.
Fabio Pisacane has done a solid job since taking over Cagliari on 11 June 2025 and this looks like a team that has been built to play in a compact shape, transition quickly and press selectively to nick control. Pisacane's men are likely to line up in either a 3-5-2 or 3-4-2-1, a narrow block that will try to control the danger areas and strike on the break.
Arezzo have a different style, or at least a different core to their game plan, as Bucchi employs a camaleontic 4-3-3 system that can shape-shift to dictate the rhythm of games and probe the half-spaces. Bucchi's side will sit deep and look to lock up the central areas, but they have the ability to flip into a high press to suffocate the hosts, which could see them at their best if they force Cagliari into some rushed build-up play.
Arezzo can keep it tight
Across all competitions, Arezzo have won five, drawn two and lost three of their last ten, a much more swinging form than Cagliari, but still enough bite to indicate they can be a threat to the Serie A side. Arezzo have conceded seven goals away from home this season, at an average of 1.17 per match, which is not great, but it isn't bad either and it suggests that they won't be gutted by the home side.
Cagliari's recent run of two draws on the trot is more likely to see this cup tie go to the wire than the final result favour of the home team and the odds suggest that there will be a tight match on Friday. Both Teams to Score - No, which is currently 1.77, and Under 2.5 Goals, priced up at 2.1, look to be a good way to get on board at what look like good odds.
