Cagliari vs Venezia

Separated by just three positions in the Serie A standings, Cagliari and relegation-threatened Venezia clash at the Unipol Domus on Sunday in the penultimate round of the season.

Though Cagliari sit 14th, their safety from relegation isn't yet guaranteed. That said, their situation is less precarious than Venezia’s, who occupy 17th — just a single point clear of the bottom three.

Heading into Matchday 37, the Sardinians are still at risk of the drop, but there’s a growing sense that Davide Nicola’s side have done just enough to secure top-flight survival. Cagliari are five points ahead of 18th-placed Lecce and 19th-placed Empoli, both sitting on 28 points, with only two games remaining.

While supporters can be cautiously optimistic about avoiding the drop, they’ll be hoping for a positive finish to the season. Nicola’s side have struggled for form, losing four of their last five league outings, with the only win coming against 15th-placed Verona. Defensive frailties have been costly, with at least two goals conceded in defeats to Inter (3-1), Fiorentina (2-1), Udinese (2-1), and Como (3-1).

Two of those losses came at home, and Cagliari now look to avoid a third straight home defeat — something they haven’t endured in a single Serie A season since March-April 2022, when they fell to Lazio, Milan, and Juventus in succession.

Looking to hand Cagliari another blow are Venezia, who revived their survival hopes with a 2-1 upset of Fiorentina last time out. That victory, coupled with Lecce’s draw against Verona, lifted Eusebio Di Francesco’s side out of the relegation zone.

Venezia have now picked up two crucial wins in 2025 — the other being a 1-0 triumph over Monza in mid-April. But their failure to win away from home remains a concern. Since their promotion, they haven’t claimed a single away win this season, and haven’t done so in Serie A since defeating Torino in February 2022 — a run of 25 matches without a road victory.

Still, Venezia have shown more resilience in recent away outings, drawing each of their last five road games. After a 0-0 result at Atalanta, they’ve gone on to earn score draws at Como, Lecce, Empoli, and Torino.

Unbeaten in their last eight Serie A encounters with Cagliari since 1966, Venezia will look to continue that streak as they fight to stay afloat, clinging to a narrow one-point lead over Lecce and Empoli.