English Premier
2012-03-24 - Liverpool vs Wigan Athletic
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 24 March 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Liverpool
While Liverpool have had a lot of success in the Cup competitions this season having won the Carling Cup and reaching the Semi Final of the FA Cup, it is telling that some fans are beginning to get a little upset at the lack of progress made in the Premier League this season. Kenny Dalglish made it clear at the beginning of the season that reaching the Champions League was the ambition this year, but that already looks very much out of the question.
Liverpool are 7th in the Premier League and find themselves 12 points behind 4th placed Tottenham Hotspur with only 9 games left to play. It is also quite telling that they are closer in terms of points to Bolton Wanderers in the relegation zone rather than Manchester United at the top of the table. It is at Anfield that they have struggled to turn draws into wins as they compiled a 5-8-1 record, scoring 18 goals and conceding 10.
There were a number of frustrated fans venting their disappointment after the side gave up a 0-2 lead at relegation threatened QPR with only 13 minutes remaining to actually lose the game 3-2. That means they have won just 1 of their last 6 Premier League games, and they have lost 4 of their last 5 games. Liverpool have won 3 of their last 4 home games in all competitions, while they have kept clean sheets in 3 of their last 4 here in the League, although only winning 1 of those games.
Charlie Adam joins Craig Bellamy, Dan Agger and Glen Johnson on the sidelines for this game after suffering an injury at Loftus Road. Martin Kelly was also forced off injured in that game, but he is expected to be passed fit for this game.
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic would have been particularly devastated with Liverpool's collapse at QPR during the week as it makes it that much more difficult for them to succeed in their own ambitions of maintaining their Premier League status. They have an awful run of games to negotiate in their final 9 games in the League and it is already looking like Roberto Martinez will need a miracle to keep them up this year.
The team are 19th in the Premier League and now find themselves 3 points behind QPR in the final position of safety, while also having a vastly inferior goal difference. The Latics can at least point to a more productive record on their travels as the positives to take going into this game. They are 3-3-8 away from the DW Stadium this season, scoring 13 goals but conceding 29.
Wigan have actually lost just 1 of their last 6 games in the Premier League, but the fact of the matter is that they have only won 1 of those games and draws are already looking like they wont be enough. They will also point to the fact that they have avoided defeat in their last 2 away games, while they have scored in 8 of their last 9 away games in the League.
Hugo Rodallega continues to be a big miss for Wigan and he will be joined by David Jones on the sidelines.
Head to Head
Liverpool and Wigan drew 0-0 at the DW Stadium earlier this season, menaing the last 3 games between the two teams have ended with the points shared.
Wigan will also point to the fact that they have avoided defeat on 2 of their last 4 visits to Anfield.
Prediction
This is still a big match for Liverpool, despite the fact that 4th place looks almost out of reach, as they could close the gap on the Champions League places if Chelsea avoid defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the early game of the day.
The Reds will also want to finish as high as possible in the League and will not want to leave it to chance and finish outside of the top 7, with the likes of Swansea just three points behind them in the League.
Wigan will also feel that they have a chance to earn something from this game as Liverpool have struggled at Anfield all season, while the Latics have enjoyed the majority of their successes on their travels this season.
However, the big concern is the lack of goals in the side, even though they have had it a little easier away from home. That doesn't mean they cannot get something from this game as Liverpool have only got 18 goals in their 14 home games so far in the League and that is what Roberto Martinez will be telling his troops.
Overall, I do think Liverpool will win this game, but I think it could be tougher than people think. I can see Wigan scoring as they have done in each of their last 4 visits to Anfield, and so I am intrigued by the 2.80 on offer that Liverpool win this game with 3/4 total goals scored at Paddy Power.
I wouldn't go overboard on that one, but it looks much more appealing than most of the markets on offer.
The Pick :
Liverpool 2-1 Wigan Athletic
