English Premier
2010-11-20 - Manchester United vs Wigan
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Premier League
Saturday 20 November 2010 - Kickoff 3pm
Manchester United
Its back to the hustle and bustle of Premier League football after a somewhat quiet week with all the International fixtures. This is a crucial time for United as they look to earn safe passage into the last 16 of the Champions League while also kick starting their Premier League title challenge along with Carling Cup progress.
United fell back down into 3rd place in the Premier League and have now drawn more games than they have won in the League this season. The Red Devils have 25 points from their 13 games this season, and did manage to close the gap on leaders Chelsea to 3 points after the Blues were stunned by Sunderland on Sunday. The form at Old Trafford remains strong for the team and they are 5-1-0 there this season, scoring 15 goals and conceding 5.
They are still unbeaten and bookies are quoting 14-1 that United remain that way until the end of the season (ridiculously short price if you ask me). United had won 6 in a row recently, but have now drawn their last 2 games. They have won their last 4 games at Old Trafford in all competitions.
The good news for United fans will be the return of Paul Scholes from suspension and he should provide a little more guile in a midfield that was lacking ideas in their last game. Rumours persist that Wayne Rooney will be in the squad, but I would be surprised if he starts. Rafael remains out injured, but Ryan Giggs will be hoping to play some part.
Possible Manchester United Line Up: (4-4-2)
Van der Sar, Brown, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Scholes, Fletcher, Park, Nani, Hernandez and Berbatov
Wigan Athletic
Wigan continue with their recent revival in the League of late, but this is not the kind of game where they have enjoyed much success over the last few seasons. The bottom of the table is getting tighter all the time, but Wigan have improved significantly since losing their first 2 games of the season 0-4 and 0-6, both at home.
The Latics moved out of the relegation zone on Saturday evening after picking up a vital home win at the DW Stadium over West Brom. They have now picked up 14 points this season, 1 better than Birmingham in 18th, but are only 5 points behind Bolton who currently sit in 5th. Wigan are 1-2-2 away from home this season, scoring 4 goals and conceding 6.
Wigan have lost just 3 of their last 11 League games, but have lost their last 2 away from home after starting the season unbeaten in 3 successive away games. They have conceded 2 goals in each of their last 3 away games in the Premier League.
Gary Caldwell is out and unlikely to start a game until January. Emmerson Boyce is another who is struggling to make this game while James McCarthy is a long term absentee.
Possible Wigan Athletic Line Up: (4-3-3)
Al Habsi, Stam, Figueroa, Alcaraz, Gohouri, Diame, Thomas, Moses, N'Zogbia, Rodallega and Di Santo
Head to Head
Manchester United have beaten Wigan 11 times in a row since the Latics came up to the Premier League. 10 of those meetings came in the Premier League and the other was the Carling Cup Final in 2006.
United's 5 home wins have usually come in comfortable fashion. The Red Devils have scored 17 goals in those games and have only conceded 1.
Roberto Martinez will be hoping his side can put up a better effort than they did last season when they lost 5-0 at home and away against United.
Prediction
This is a tough spot for Wigan to come into as United begin to get back to full strength. The likes of Scholes and Giggs will provide a little more creativity that had been lacking in the last couple of games and Rooney is another that will be welcomed back into the fold.
Wigan should put up a more resilient effort than their last 2 with United as they have been playing a lot better since losing their opening 2 games of the season. However, they have been a little vulnerable in recent away games and will need to strengthen up to avoid conceding 2 in an away game for the 4th consecutive game.
It is hard to look beyond the United win here, and I think they will be a little more comfortable than in recent games. However, I feel the best way to go forward with this game is to pick United to win to nil. That would have been a winner in 5 of the last 6 United wins over Wigan and half of their wins have satisified this criteria this season.
I'll take United win to nil
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 2-0 Wigan Athletic
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll pick Manchester United Win to Nil @ 1.83 (Paddy Power)
