English Premier
2011-02-01 - West Bromwich Albion vs Wigan Athletic
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Premier League
Tuesday 1 February 2011 - Kickoff 8pm
This game is live on TV
West Bromwich Albion
After some really impressive results this season, it would have been a surprise to more people than just myself when rumours came out earlier this month suggesting Roberto Di Matteo was to lose his job as manager. West Brom have never been a trigger happy club when it comes to sacking managers, so it would have been a truly shocking move if the Italian had been removed as manager.
The rumours only began as West Brom have been dropping down the table and a few alarm bells would have been ringing at the Hawthorns. The Baggies are 16th in the Premier League table, and their 25 points is only 3 better off than their opponents in the final relegation spot. West Brom are 5-2-4 at home this season, scoring 16 goals and conceding 17 and it is at the Hawthornes that the foundation of a survival season will be built.
A shocking run of form has seen the slide down the table as the team has lost 7 of their last 8 games in all competitions. 6 of those defeats have come in the Premier League, the only positive being a recent 3-2 win here over Blackpool. West Brom have won 2 and lost 4 of their last 6 home games in the League.
Carlos Vela joined the Baggies on loan from Arsenal and could be making his debut here. Graham Dorrans is definitely out, while Steven Reid is hoping to make a return to the squad ahead of schedule.
Wigan Athletic
Roberto Martinez must be imploring the transfer window to slam shut without the loss of key players like Hugo Rodallega and Charles N'Zogbia so they can begin concentrating on the relegation fight they are involved in.
Wigan are 18th in the Premier League, but they are still in touch with the teams around, currently finding themselves 1 point behind Birmingham in the final position of safety and only 3 behind West Brom in 16th. The Latics are 2-4-5 away from home this season, scoring 8 goals and conceding 16 and that record would put them in the top half of the table.
The team have won just 1 of their last 8 games in all competitions, that coming in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. It does not look good for the side when they have won 1 of their last 11 Premier League games and have picked up 2 points from the last 15 they have competed for. However, Wigan have lost 1 of their last 6 away games in all competitions.
Roberto Martinez will bring back the likes of Ali Al Habsi, Rodallega and N'Zogbia after resting them on Saturday. Antolin Alcaraz is out as is Tom Cleverly.
Head to Head
These two teams have met 8 times over the last decade in both Premier League and Championship matches and currently Wigan lead the series 5-3.
West Brom have won 2 of the 3 games at the Hawthornes and goals have been the order of the day in those games, each finishing with at least 3 goals.
Wigan beat West Brom 1-0 earlier this season.
Prediction
I dont want anyone to think I am just making lazy predictions, but this is going to be the third game on a Tuesday night where I tip both teams to score at least 1 goal. My reasons are as follows:
Firstly, West Brom have consistently struggled for clean sheets all season, managing only 1 in 23 League games this season and that was way back in their 2nd game of the season against Sunderland here. They have conceded at least 2 goals in each of their last 7 Premier League games.
Secondly, Wigan can take advantage of the West Brom defensive problems with their enigmatic players like N'Zogbia and Rodallega. However, they themselves have not kept a clean sheet in 6 consecutive Premier League games.
Thirdly, a draw does not really suit either team at this stage of the season and both managers like playing attractive attacking football. There will be chances at both ends in the 90 minutes.
Finally, the recent history between the teams at the Hawthornes has seen plenty of goals. In fact, 5 of their 8 games has seen both sides move the scoreboard.
The 1.72 on offer at Bet365 and BetFred has tempted me just enough to have an interest and that will be my pick. This game could be surprisingly more entertaining than it would look like on paper.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Wigan Athletic
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll take Both Teams to Score @ 1.72 Bet365/BetFred (1 UNIT)Follow me on Twitter @DavindaAulak - there is a direct link below
