English Premier
2009-02-28 - Chelsea vs Wigan
A Sports Betting Pick by Shady
The revolution has started at Chelsea under new boss Guus Hiddink, with two back to back 1-0 wins over Aston Villa in the Premier League and Juventus in the Champions League. Hiddink is special in a way where by he has brought success to every team or country he has coached; South Korea, PSV, Australia and more recently Russia.Chelsea :
Guus Hiddink goes into today’s clash without a couple of key players but he seems to be happy enough with his depth of his side. Ricardo Carvalho is set to miss this game together with Joe Cole and Michael Essien while Deco is doubtful for the game against Wigan.
Since Guus Hiddink took over at Stamford Bridge, he has preferred a 4-4-2 formation partnering Nicholas Anelka and Drogba together up front, which Scolari so often refused to do so.
Petr Cech will start in goal, while John Terry will partner Alex in the central of defense alongside Bowsingwa and Ashley Cole. In midfield, Mikel and Ballack will start at the heart of this midfield allowing Lampard to feature at the left side of midfield and Kalou at the opposite end.
This formation is very flexible as Kalou often joins Drogba and Anelka leaving Mikel to anchor the midfield and Ballack and Lampard to float around. Key player to watch out would definitely be Anelka as he is the leading goal scorer in the EPL.
In addition, Drogba had a crucial goal in midfield and his physical presents would definitely be felt by this weaken Wigan side.
Wigan :
Allowing Emile Heskey, Wilson Palacious and Henri Camera to go in the January transfer window was a poor decision. Ever since losing them, Wigan had found it difficult to cope with other oppositions as both Heskey and Palacious are key players in the side.
Steve Bruce will have to do without Valencia and Mido while both central midfielders Daniel De Ridder and Jason Koumas are doubtful for today’s clash. Ben Watson is also suspended for this game and it will be interesting to see what Steve Bruce would do to cope with his injury hit side.
Colombian forward, Hugo Rodallega is the replacement for Heskey but till date he has failed to make an impact on this Wigan side. I do not see how this could change as he would be facing John Terry and co. Wigan has only scored two goals in this calendar year and this goal drought seems likely to continue for at least another week.
Betting Statistic :
Based on the Asian Handicap line this season, Chelsea are very poor at home. They have lost eight games from the possible 13, winning only 3 out of it.
On the other hand, Wigan has the best away record based on the AH line, winning ten from the possible thirteen. An amazing record for a club like Wigan.
However, this statistic IS NOT fair accurate as both side has had major changes of late. Chelsea under Guus Hiddink will be a different side compared to Scolari while Wigan has lost two of their key players in the January transfer window.
The Betting Verdict
I do fancy Chelsea to walk away with a win by a couple of goals, simply because they are playing at home and because of the injuries Steve Bruce have to deal with.
Guus Hiddink is a fantastic manager and I will back him to lead Chelsea to win by a couple of goals.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 2-0 Wigan
BEST BETTING TIP :
Two bets to consider :Chelsea to win the game.
Chelsea to keep a clean sheet. 1.53 at Paddypower
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Chelsea to give the -1.5 AH headstart
