Despite international football taking the place of lots of European action this week, Serie B hasn’t been affected. On Wednesday night, Ascoli and Bari meet in what is being described as a top vs bottom clash. Bari aren’t quite top and sit 4^th currently while Ascoli are just above bottom in 21^st place.

STATS

• Ascoli haven’t enjoyed life in Serie B this term and with five points separating them from the safe positions, it looks as though they will either be automatically relegated or face the dreaded relegation play-off. They have been better recently and with four points from their last two games, they are slowly dragging themselves away from the relegation places. They scored a 90th-minute equaliser in their last game against Spezia to draw 1-1.
• Bari have done well this season and are still within touching of the automatic promotion places. They are unbeaten in their last seven league matches but with three draws in their last four, they have begun to lose ground on the teams around them. They made no mistake against Brescia last time out, beating the relegation-threatened side 3-0.
• One of Ascoli’s main problems is their lack of a goal scorer. With five league goals, Andrea Favilli has more than anyone else in the squad.

  Cristian Galano is Bari’s main man in front of goal with 13 goals so far this campaign. He needs more if his side are to push into the promotion places.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bari haven’t necessarily been at dominant against Ascoli in their last few meetings despite only losing once. In May of last season, they were beaten 1-0 at home by the minnows, but they put that right earlier this term. After a goalless first-half in October, they managed to score three unanswered goals in the second period to win 3-0. In just one of the last six games have both teams scored.

ASCOLI NEWS

The hosts need a result on Wednesday to increase their chances of survival but it looks bleak. A win could take them in 20^th but they need more than one result for a glimmer of hope.

Latest matches: Ascoli

24.03.2018	Seri	Spezia Calcio	Ascoli	1:1	D
17.03.2018	Seri	Ascoli	Ternana Calcio	2:1	W
10.03.2018	Seri	SSC Venezia	Ascoli	1:0	L
03.03.2018	Seri	Ascoli	Sportiva Salernitana	1:3	L
27.02.2018	Seri	US Palermo	Ascoli	4:1	L

BARI NEWS

Like their opponents, Bari also desperately need a result. Three points won’t actually improve their league position but it will give them a better chance of automatic promotion.

Latest matches: FC Bari 1908

24.03.2018	Seri	FC Bari 1908	Brescia Calcio	3:0	W
17.03.2018	Seri	AS Cittadella	FC Bari 1908	0:0	D
13.03.2018	Seri	FC Bari 1908	Spezia Calcio	1:1	D
10.03.2018	Seri	FC Bari 1908	Pro Vercelli	2:2	D
24.02.2018	Seri	Ternana Calcio	FC Bari 1908	1:2	W

SUMMARY

This game is certainly Bari’s to lose and it’s hard to see past a win for the promotion contenders. They shouldn’t be fazed by a side who are strong favourites for the drop but will need to maintain focus and concentration. It won’t be a game that’s full of goals or excitement but it should be a very professional performance from Bari.