Our prediction for this Serie A match:
Cagliari
Match Time & Date:
23/08/2021
18:30
Prediction: 1-0
Spezia
Cagliari will be aiming to build on a 3-1 Coppa Italia win over Pisa when they take on Spezia in the opening match of the season. The Sardinians finished the last Serie A season just above the relegation zone, and, no doubt, they are eager to make amends for the unsuccessful campaign. Midfielder Marko Rog is injured for the season opener, but he should be the only absentee in the home team.
New signing Kevin Strootman will be the man to watch in the home side. Spezia, on the other hand, are eyeing yet another elite division survival. The Black and Whites are tough to beat at home, but they will have a big fish to fry in Monday’s football match. Leo’ Sena is out of contention through injury, while Nzola is a major doubt and he will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
Highlighted Player (Diego Godin):
Diego Godin is considered one of the best defenders in the history of Uruguayan football. The Atletico Madrid centre back played for Cerro and Nacional in the Uruguayan national championship between 2003 and 2007 and in August, 2017 he signed a deal with La Liga side Villarreal.
Godin made 91 league appearances for the Yellow Submarine and on 4 August he made probably the best decision of his career as he signed a contract with Atletico Madrid. The Uruguayan defender won the 2013/2014 La Liga trophy with los Rojiblancos, while making it to the Champions League final on two occasions (2014, 2016). He won the Europa League trophy in the 2011/2012 season with Atletico Madrid as well.
Speaking of his international career, Godin clinched the 2011 Copa America trophy with Uruguay. Despite playing as a centre back, Diego Godin often scores after set pieces and you should have in mind that he scored eight goals for Diego Simeone’s team in the 2013/2014 season (all competitions).
Highlighted Team (Spezia):
Spezia is a professional Italian club based in Spezia, Liguria. The Bianconeri secured promotion to the Serie A in the 2019/20 season, with the team beating Frosinone in the Serie B playoffs final. Spezia are well known for their black and white home jerseys, and black is the dominant colour of their away kit.
The club’s home ground Stadio Alberto Picco has the capacity of 10,336 people. The venue was opened back in 1919, with architect Gregotti being in charge of the project. In 2002 the club chiefs decided to reach an agreement with Inter which saw Spezia become Inter’s feeder club.
As a result, the likes of Goran Pandev, Aco Stojkov, and Alex Cordaz joined the Bianconeri in the first season. Spezia then suffered a bankruptcy, but in 2008 they were re-founded. In the 2020/21 season the Bianconeri will compete in the Italian elite division for the first time ever.
Fiorentina 
Udinese
Inter 
Como
Man City 
Everton
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
