Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker:
With a Serie A return still hanging firmly in the balance, Bari will welcome Cagliari to the Stadio San Nicola for their second-leg showdown on Sunday night.
Starting with the hosts, snatching what was a stunning last-gasp equaliser away in Sardinia earlier in the week, Bari will travel back to the Stadio San Nicola looking to complete what would be a famous Serie A return. Eventually snatching a 1-1 draw in their first-leg showdown a few days ago, Michele Mignani’s men will certainly be glad to make a return to home soil here. Although the Cockerels might have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous seven meetings against second-tier opposition a run that stems back to April 23rd Bari have continued to shine in front of their own supporters. Last seen in Apulia picking up a 1-0 semi-final victory against Sudtirol, Sunday’s hosts are unbeaten in their last eight straight appearances on home soil. With that hometown flurry highlighted by a 1-0 win against Reggina on May 13th, Mignani’s side will feel like they hold a marginal advantage this weekend.
Team News
In what could be a huge boost for Bari on Sunday night, Mignani’s men are hopeful that skipper Valerio Di Cesare can make a full return here. Likewise, Giacomo Ricci will return to the Cockerels’ matchday squad after serving a one-match suspension earlier in the week.
Although Mirco Antenucci might have bagged that stunning last-gasp equaliser at the Unipol Domus in midweek, the 38-year-old will likely have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Cagliari
As for the visitors, suffering last-gasp heartbreak at the Unipol Domus earlier in the week, Cagliari will know that they must now go about things the hard way on Sunday night. Missing out on the chance to claim what would have been a crucial first-leg advantage on home soil, Claudio Ranieri’s men don’t have much time to feel sorry for themselves. However, storming past Parma in their semi-final showdown after clinching an action-packed 3-2 aggregate win, the former Leicester boss has seen his squad continue to shine over the past six weeks. Signing off the 2022/23 Serie B campaign with a gritty 1-0 victory away at Cosenza last month, Cagliari are unbeaten in each of their last eight appearances against second-tier opposition a run that stems all the way back to April 22nd. While Ranieri’s side might be tipped as an underdog pick when they travel to Apulia on Sunday night, it is worth noting that the Islanders have lost just one Serie B contest on the road since the start of February.
Team News
Picking up a first-leg knock a the Unipol Domus in midweek, Cagliari are sweating over the fitness of 34-year-old Marco Mancosu. However, Alberto Dossena could make a full return here after serving a one-match suspension.
Once again finding the net earlier in the week and now notching 26 goals across all competitions this season, attacking talisman Gianluca Lapadula will spearhead Ranieri’s attack here.
Key Factors to Consider
