Cagliari have made an encouraging start to the new year and look to be a good bet to secure a mid-table slot for themselves. The Isolani lost their opening game of 2011 1-0 at home to Milan but not before making it tough for the Rossoneri, and last weekend carved out a brilliant 2-1 victory in Parma.
This means that the Sardinians are now in 10th place in Serie A having mustered 23 points from 19 matches. With five points separating them from third-from-bottom Lecce, Cagliari do look more assured at the moment.
However, Roberto Donadoni's side will still be looking for a win against Palermo at home on Sunday. Cagliari have won four and lost four at Stadio Sant'Elia and will know that it will not be easy for them to win against the Sicilian high-flyers.
Returning To Winning Ways
On their day Palermo can be one of the most enjoyable and entertaining sides to watch in entire Europe and Delio Rossi will be hoping that his side turn out to be more colourful this Sunday than they were last weekend when they were held to a goalless draw by Chievo in Verona.
That result means that Palermo remain fifth in Serie A with 31 points from 19 matches, level on points with fifth-placed Juventus and just one behind Roma. With Scudetto hopes arguably withered, the chance to finish in the top-four and compete in next season's Champions League is very much there but with Roma, Juventus and Inter all in the hunt, the Rosaneri cannot afford to drop points carelessly.
Encouragingly for Palermo, they progressed to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia in midweek by getting the better of Chievo. It stretched the Aquile's unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions and was their fourth win in that period.
TEAM NEWS
Cagliari
Lazzari is injured and Cossu is suspended.
Palermo
Hernandez, Pinilla, Goian and Garcia are out injured. Bovo and Carrozzieri are suspended.
Prediction
It wouldn't be easy for Palermo given that they are away and Cagliari's win last weekend would have boosted their confidence. A loss for the Sicilian visitors looks unlikely; a draw between the two teams seems to be in the offing.
Cagliari 2-2 Palermo 
