Bari
- Bari finished one point behind Sudtirol in 17th with 40 points compared to their rivals’ 16th with 41 points, so it will be a very nervy clash on Friday with the loser facing Serie C football and the winner guaranteed to be in Serie B next season.
- Sudtirol also have the advantage of the aggregate tie-breaker, so the pressure is on Bari to go for the win at home.
- Moreno Longo has been in charge of the Galletti since January and has instilled a pragmatic, but at times, direct approach to their soccer.
- Michele Cerofolini is a dependable presence in goal while Gabriele Moncini has provided the goals Bari have needed up front.
- Kevin Piscopo’s brace against Catanzaro in their final game of the regular season suggests he can step up when his team needs him to.
Sudtirol
- Sudtirol’s coach Fabrizio Castori has more experience of surviving relegation battles than almost any other boss in Italy, so Bari should have little to fear from the structure and discipline his team will bring to Bari on Friday.
- The visitors set up in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-2-1, allowing their wing-backs to provide width and pressing intensity in the wide areas as well as when out of possession in transition.
- Marius Adamonis has been a steady keeper all season long and Emanuele Pecorino is a goal threat from wide, particularly on crosses and set-pieces.
- Silvio Merkaj’s versatility in attack should keep Bari’s central defenders on the back foot while Daniele Casiraghi’s class and experience will control the tempo in midfield.
- Sudtirol finished the regular season with a string of draws, but a 6-1 thrashing at Spezia and a 3-0 defeat to Mantova saw them limp into the playout.
Head-to-Head
La Trenta beat Bari 2-1 away from home in February when these two last met, but the other game finished 0-0 in Bolzano back in November.
Key Players
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Bari
- Michele Cerofolini is a dependable presence in goal while Gabriele Moncini has provided the goals Bari have needed up front.
- Kevin Piscopo’s brace against Catanzaro in their final game of the regular season suggests he can step up when his team needs him to.
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Sudtirol
- Marius Adamonis has been a steady keeper all season long and Emanuele Pecorino is a goal threat from wide, particularly on crosses and set-pieces.
- Silvio Merkaj’s versatility in attack should keep Bari’s central defenders on the back foot while Daniele Casiraghi’s class and experience will control the tempo in midfield.
Betting Insights
- Bookmakers list Bari at 2.47, Sudtirol at 2.94, and the draw at 3.1.
- Under 2.5 goals is available at 1.65 for this Serie B playout first-leg.
- Bookmakers have Bari as the slight favorites for Friday’s first-leg, but Sudtirol will be just as desperate to get the win and have the aggregate advantage if the tie finishes level after both legs.
Prediction
The game could go either way, so we’re taking the under 2.5 goals option at 1.65 and backing the draw at 3.1 .
