Reinvigorated Bari can display their promotion credentials

Serie B
7.30pm Wednesday

Fabio Grosso has seamlessly switched from playing to managing and the former Italy left-back can take Bari another step closer to a top-flight return by masterminding victory at Serie B strugglers Ascoli.

Grosso, a World Cup winner with the Azzurri, has transformed Bari in his first season from a mid-table outfit to genuine promotion challengers.

Victory at the Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca will move the southern outfit up to fourth in the table, just two points adrift of second-placed Frosinone.

Bari were excellent in demolishing Brescia 3-0 at the weekend, so expect them to get the better of an Ascoli side who have had a tough campaign.

They are unbeaten in seven with a couple of well-known faces on these shores – former Celtic youngster Liam Henderson and one-time Aston Villa striker Libor Kozak – starring for them. Henderson has been outstanding since arriving in January and runs the midfield alongside Albanian international Migjen Basha.

Ascoli, in contrast, are striving to pull away from the automatic relegation places. A 2-1 win over bottom club Ternana followed by a 1-1 draw at Spezia have improved their chances but they are without wing-back Daniele Mignanelli, sent off in the triumph over Ternana.

Coach Serse Cosmi, appointed in December, wasn’t in charge when Ascoli crashed 3-0 at Bari earlier in the season but he’s struggled to have much of an impact since replacing Fulvio Fiorin and crowds have dwindled.

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Bari
2pts 13-8 Betfair

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