Football Bet of the Day: Cockerels set to strut against travel-sick Catania

Bari fans should be celebrating tonight

After a winning start to the week, Kevin Hatchard's switching his focus to Italy, and a game featuring a side with one of the worst away records in Europe.

Bari v Catania
Tuesday March 03, 19:30

It's always nice when a late winner goes your way instead of kicking you in the face, and today we say merci beaucoup to Angers' Khaled Ayari. Monsieur Ayari came on as a sub and scored a 92nd-minute clincher for the visitors as they edged out Auxerre 1-0 in Ligue 2. That turned a half-win for us into a full victory.

A short trip to Italy now, and more second-tier action (ambassador, you're really spoiling us!) as Bari take on Catania in Serie B.

Bari were once regulars in Serie A, but they have fallen on hard times financially. Despite such penury, they are in the mix to qualify for the Serie B promotion playoffs for the second season running. The Cockerels are just three points outside the top eight, and they are on a charge (can cockerels charge?), having won their last two league games.

It tends to be famine or feast for Bari fans, with the numb post-match feeling a draw can engender something of a rare sensation. Bari have drawn just six of their 28 league games, fewer than any other team in the division.

Bari have already racked up three league wins in 2015, and there's every chance they'll make it four tonight, as they're taking on a team with a case of travel-sickness so severe that it borders on agoraphobia. Catania have played 12 away games this term, and have collected just two points. That's right folks, two points from a possible 36. They've scored nine goals on the road, and shipped 24 at an average of two per game.

If Catania's away form was anything like their home form, they'd be challenging for promotion, as they've won seven games at the Stadio Angelo Massimino. However, they are bang in trouble, third from bottom. It's an extraordinary collapse when you consider Catania were rubbing shoulders with the likes of Roma and Juventus in Serie A last term.

Bari have a decent home record, and I'm pleasantly surprised to see them trading at above evens to beat a side that has lost five away games on the spin. It's a price we shouldn't ignore.

Recommended Bet

Back Bari to win at 2.111/10

2015 P/L (1 pt per bet)

Points Staked: 28

Points Returned: 26.62

P/L: -1.38 points