English Premier
2012-03-31 - Wigan Athletic vs Stoke City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 31 March 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic could not have given them a big shot in the arm in their bid to beat the drop than winning 1-2 at Anfield last week. However, I can imagine Roberto Martinez has been on the training ground warning his team that that result at Liverpool will mean nothing if they don't back it up this week.
The results last week mean Wigan have remained in 19th place in the Premier League but, more importantly, have closed the gap to the teams in the safety zone to just 1 point. They still have an inferior goal difference compared with most of their rivals, but a win would see them join Blackburn Rovers on 28 points. Wigan are just 1-7-7 at home this season, scoring 12 goals and conceding 25.
Wigan have given themselves a chance of survival by picking up 10 points from the last 21 available, but it could have been much better for them if their results had matched their performances. The team dominated West Brom in their last home game but could not find a winning goal as they drew 1-1. They have now failed to win any of their last 13 home games in the League, although they have lost just 1 of their last 4. Goals have been a problem here and they have failed to score more than 1 in front of their own fans in 9 League games.
Mohamed Diame and Hugo Rodallega are doubts for the home side, but Victor Moses looks like winning his race for fitness after a suspected broken jaw was ruled out.
Stoke City
While Wigan were earning a big result at Anfield, Stoke City were earning a big result at home against title chasing Manchester City. Thanks to a Peter Crouch special, Stoke managed to earn a point from that game and they can play the last 8 games of the season with no pressure and a chance to look forward to next season.
Despite their good result, Stoke actually moved down a place in the Premier League to 12th, but they are still have more than an opportunity to finish in the top half of the table. Usually their best form has been reserved for the Brittania Stadium, but Stoke have a solid 4-3-8 away record this season, scoring just 10 goals and conceding 26.
The Potters have failed to win any of their last 4 games in all competitions but that has to be put in perspective considering they have played at Chelsea, at Tottenham Hotspur, at Liverpool and at home against Manchester City. Stoke have a 1-1-5 record from their last 7 away games in all competitions, the sole win coming at League Two Crawley in the FA Cup.
There are no new injury worries for Tony Pulis as they make the short trip to Wigan.
Head to Head
Wigan Athletic are actually unbeaten in the last 5 Premier League games against Stoke City, although 4 of those games has seen the teams share the points.
They drew 2-2 earlier this season at the Brittania Stadium thanks to an 87th minute penalty from Ben Watson to salvage a point for Wigan.
The last 3 games played at the DW Stadium have all ended in draws.
Prediction
I am going to take a bit of a risk in this one and that is because I am going to back Wigan to score at least 2 goals, something they have only managed to do twice in their 15 home games so far this season.
So why am I taking this option? Well, I have a feeling that Wigan might grab a win in this game, but I feel they are going to need to score twice to do so and that is actually priced bigger than the home win on its own.
The Latics should be full of confidence after their win at Anfield and I expect they will be a little more motivated than their opponents who may see this as an 'easy' game following their recent run of fixtures.
Wigan have also scored at least 2 goals in 3 of their last 5 games against Stoke, including here last season and earlier this season at Stoke.
Both Bolton and QPR have also managed to score at least twice against Stoke this season and I think Wigan can achieve this total with a little bit of composure, and some luck, in front of goal.
As I said, it is a bit of a risk, but it looks worth a small interest at the 2.75 quoted at Ladbrokes.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Wigan Athletic 2-1 Stoke City
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Wigan Over 1.5 Total Goals @ 2.75 (Ladbrokes)
