Juventus v Cagliari: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Defending Coppa Italia champions Juventus will be looking to secure their place in the quarter-finals when they welcome Cagliari to the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday.

The Old Lady, who lifted the trophy for a record-extending 22nd time last season, have slipped off the pace in Serie A and cup competitions may be the club's best chance of silverware this term.

As for Cagliari, they sit inside the relegation zone in the Italian top-flight and avoiding relegation is likely to be the club's main priority.

Gli Isolani have failed to go past the last-16 stage of the Coppa Italia since reaching the semi-finals in 2004/05 and it will take a huge effort for the club to ensure their name is in the hat for the quarter-final draw.

Juventus v Cagliari betting tips and predictions

Juventus to win and over 2.5 total goals - 13/10

Juve are the only team yet to taste defeat in Serie A this season, winning six of their 16 matches, but they have drawn a division-leading 10 draws and this has seen them slip off the pace in the title race.

The Old Lady occupy sixth position in the table, nine points behind leaders Atalanta, and they need to find a way of turning one point into three if they want to climb up the standings.

Thiago Motta's side are on an 11-game unbeaten streak heading into this contest, with eight of those contests ending all-square, but they will be confident they can clinch an important win against visiting Cagliari.

Davide Nicola's troops have lost their last two league matches, both by 1-0 scorelines, while they have tasted success just once from their last eight assignments.

This barren run has the club sitting in the relegation zone and an away victory looks unlikely on Tuesday, given that they have collected just two points from the last 15 on offer on their travels.

Cagliari's away record in the Coppa Italia also makes for bleak reading, as they have lost five of their last six ties on the road, with the sole victory during that period an extra-time win over Udinese.

In stark contrast, Juve have been magnificent at home in this competition, with their last defeat a 2-1 loss to Fiorentina in March 2015.

A win for Motta's men looks likely, but there is little value in just backing the victory at 9/20 and there is more value in adding over 2.5 total goals to this selection.

There have been three or more goals in three of Juventus's last five home matches, while there have been over 2.5 goals in two of Cagliari's last three away assignments.

Leonardo Pavoletti to have over 0.5 shots on target - 6/5

It has been a barren time in front of goal this season for Cagliari captain Leonardo Pavoletti, who is yet to score in 11 appearances in all competitions.

However, although the 36-year-old has failed to find the back of the net, he has not been afraid of trying his luck and averages 4.4 shots per match in Serie A.

Pavoletti is averaging 1.6 shots on target per game in the league and there looks to be every chance that he can test the goalkeeper at least once.

Juventus have been giving up plenty of chances of late and have kept just one clean sheet from their last four matches in all competitions.

Yerry Mina to be booked - 15/8

This could turn out to be a feisty affair between these two sides and one player that may end up in the book is Cagliari defender Yerry Mina, who is no stranger to picking up a card.

The 30-year-old Colombia international has received four yellows and a red from 13 appearances in all competitions this season, evidence of his tendency to get on the wrong side of the officials.

With the hosts expected to see plenty of possession, Cagliari will have plenty of defending to do and this increases the chances of Mina ending up in the book again.

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Juventus v Cagliari odds

Juventus - 9/20
Draw - 10/3
Cagliari - 11/2

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.