Verdict: Parma win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Knowing that they can officially secure their Serie A return on Wednesday evening, Parma will travel to the Stadio San Nicola when they meet Bari.
Bari
Starting with the hosts, while Bari might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign with their sights firmly set on securing another stellar play-off ticket, Pasquale Marino’s men are at the heart of a major Serie B crisis this time around. Last seen over the weekend putting in another nightmare performance as they slumped to a routine 4-1 drumming at the hands of Cosenza, the Cockerels face a real uphill battle in the bid to avoid the drop this season. Opening up the midweek fixtures scrapping it out in the relegation zone and sat one-point adrift of safety, the Apulia-based outfit have collected just three points from any of their previous 10 Serie B appearances – a rut that stems all the way back to February 17th. Getting April underway with respective 2-1 defeats against Cremonese and Como, Wednesday’s hosts have also continued to gain a reputation for their rather glaring deceive issues.
Team News
Coming off the bench and shown a straight red card against Cosenza over the weekend, veteran midfielder Nicola Bellomo will miss out through suspension here. Dealing with a long-term injury issue and not making a single appearance since opening the New Year, Greece U21 international Ilias Koutsoupias still remains on the sidelines and will not feature on Wednesday evening.
However, making a return on Saturday afternoon and featuring off the bench, former Sepzia star Gennaro Acampora could make a first Serie B start since the end of February. Finding the over the weekend and notching just a fifth strike of the season, former AC Milan starlet Marco Nasti should keep his spot leading Bari’s charge.
Parma
As for the visitors, while Parma might have suffered play-off heartbreak last season, the Crusaders are sat firmly in the driving seat to clinch a lucrative Serie A return this time around. Opening Wednesday’s showdown knowing that three points could be enough to officially punch their top-flight ticket, Fabio Pecchia’s men will be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Last seen over the weekend putting in another rampant performance as they stormed their way to a 4-0 romp against Lecco, the one-time Juventus coach should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. In fact, the midweek guests have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 straight appearances – a purple patch that stems all the way back to January 27th. Likewise, landing a 2-1 victory when they welcomed Bari to the Stadio Ennio Tardini for their reverse Serie B showdown on September 27th, Parma will be desperate for a repeat display on Wednesday night.
Team News
Suffering a first-half knock against Lecco over the weekend, Poland U21 international Adrian Benedyczack is not expected to travel to the Stadio San Nicola on Wednesday evening. Continuing to impress since being recalled by Pecchia earlier in the month, one-time Porto defender Yordan Osorio will once again partner Alessandro Circati at the heart of Parma’s defence.
Although leading marksman Dennis Man might have missed out on Saturday lunchtime, the Romania international is expected to make a full return in Apulia. Bagging a classy brace against Lecco a few days ago and recording eight Serie B strikes so far this season, one-time Manchester City starlet Adrian Bernabe Garcia could once again play a leading role here.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Bari and Parma met for their reverse Serie B showdown on September 27th, the Crusaders picked up a 2-1 victory on home soil.
- Parma have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 straight appearances across all competitions.
- Bari have collected just three points from any of their previous 10 consecutive Serie B appearances.
- Parma have lost just a single Serie B showdown away from the Stadio Ennio Tardini since returning from November’s international break.
- Bari have recorded just a sole Serie B clean sheet at the Stadio San Nicola since opening the New Year.
Conclusion
Knowing that they can officially secure a Serie A return on Wednesday evening, Parma should be smelling a golden opportunity here. Landing a 2-1 victory when they welcomed Bari to town for their reverse second-tier showdown on September 27th, the Crusaders have also suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 appearances. With Wednesday’s hosts at the heart of a public Serie B crisis and mustering just a trio of points from any of their last 10 second-tier outings, we are backing a season-defining away win here.
Verdict: Parma win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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