Cagliari vs Lecce – News and Probable Lineups

Having finally broken their lengthy winless spell last week, the relegation-threatened Lecce will make their way to Cagliari on Monday night for the concluding match of Serie A’s 25th matchday.

Even though the Salentini remain in significant trouble, their Sardinian opponents have made substantial progress towards securing safety since the beginning of 2026.

Match overview

Following three consecutive victories, Cagliari climbed to 12th place in the standings before heading to Rome last week.

With victories against Juventus, Fiorentina, and Hellas Verona, they appeared set to secure a fourth consecutive year in Italy’s top division; however, that momentum was halted at the Stadio Olimpico where Donyell Malen’s two goals led to a 2-0 defeat for the Rossoblu.

However, amassing 28 points marks Cagliari’s best performance at this point in any Serie A season since 2020, with fewer goals conceded last seen in 2012.

After achieving back-to-back clean sheets at home against Juventus and Verona, Fabio Pisacane’s team will look to sustain this trend on Monday, where a win would further separate them from the strugglers beneath them.

Statistically, the prospect of securing a third consecutive Serie A home victory – a feat not accomplished in six seasons – could be in sight.

On their home turf, the Isolani have achieved six victories compared to only one loss out of their last 11 top-flight matches against Lecce, with that single defeat dating back more than a decade.

After going ahead early, Lecce fell to a defeat against Andrea Belotti’s double in September’s earlier fixture, reinforcing their unfortunate history in direct encounters – they also suffered a 4-1 loss on their last trip to Cagliari.

Leading up to this match, the Salentini find themselves in a familiar spot, entrenched in a desperate fight for survival.

Before facing Udinese last week, Lecce had managed just one point from their last five encounters and were experiencing a severe goal drought, placing them precariously just above the relegation zone.

Thus, it was somewhat surprising when they finally clinched their first victory of 2026, thanks to Lameck Banda’s spectacular free kick in the 90th minute, securing a 2-1 win.

Under pressure, coach Eusebio Di Françasco reacted furiously towards a segment of disgruntled supporters at Stadio Via del Mare, but the predominant sentiment was one of relief.

Now, the Giallorossi aim for back-to-back league victories for the first time since Di Françasco’s return for his second tenure: they last accomplished this during the final two matchdays of the previous season, which ultimately helped them stay up.

Nevertheless, Lecce have garnered merely one point from their past six away fixtures, managing to score just once – and Cagliari has traditionally not been a favorable venue for them.

Team News

Cagliari is set to welcome back key defender Yerry Mina from injury, although Belotti, Michael Folorunsho, Mattia Felici, Gennaro Borrelli, and Alessandro Deiola will all be unavailable.

Besiktas loanee Semih Kilicsoy is likely to lead the line, with Sebastiano Esposito offering support: Esposito has been involved in the most Serie A goals for the Isolani this season, contributing seven (three goals and four assists).

Additionally, quick wing-back Marco Palestra has also made five contributions, prompting discussions of a potential call-up to the senior Italy squad for the upcoming World Cup playoffs.

Lecce have had ongoing difficulties finding the back of the net this season, and their top scorer will be absent on Monday as Banda serves a suspension.

Without the Zambian winger, the Giallorossi have lost all five Serie A matches to date, contrasting sharply with a 26% win rate when he is in the squad.

Strikers Walid Cheddira and Nikola Stulic will again compete for a place in the starting XI; AC Milan’s loanee Francesco Camarda joins midfielder Medon Berisha on the sidelines.

Cagliari probable starting XI:

Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Rodriguez; Palestra, Adopo, Gaetano, Mazzitelli, Obert; Esposito, Kilicsoy

Lecce probable starting XI:

Falcon; Veiga, Gabriel, Gaspar, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ramadani; Pierotti, Gandelman, Sottil; Cheddira

As the league’s lowest scorers, Lecce have not found the net on the road in 315 minutes, while Cagliari has recently maintained consecutive clean sheets at home.

A tightly contested fixture is anticipated to favor the hosts, bringing them a step closer to safety while leaving the Salentini in dire straits.