English Premier
2012-11-28 - Wigan Athletic vs Manchester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Wednesday 28 November 2012 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Wigan Athletic
Roberto Martinez would have been very grateful for a last minute winner from Jordi Gomez at the weekend as he looks to make sure his Wigan Athletic side can avoid a relegation scrap for the another season. He may also be contending with injuries, but has admitted that he has no intention of seeing his side defend in this one and will take the game to the Champions.
Wigan are 15th in the Premier League and they have 14 points to their name, which only gives them a 3 point buffer over Southampton in the final relegation position. They have a 2-2-3 record at home this season, scoring 11 goals and conceding 13 in those games.
The win over Reading at the weekend was also important for the fact that it has come against one of the sides that are bound to be involved in a relegation scrap at the end of the season. Wigan have only lost 1 of their last 4 home games in the Premier League and come into this one having won 2 of their last 3 in front of their own fans.
Shaun Maloney and Gary Caldwell are both going to need to pass late fitness tests to determine their availability, while Ivan Ramis will miss out after coming off at the weekend.
Manchester City
Manchester City players have had their desire questioned after yet another failure to pick up the full points on their travels at the weekend, but that seems harsh to me. City remain the only side in the Premier League that have yet to lose this season and they are more than in contention for the Premier League title.
The failure to win at Stamford Bridge means City dropped to 2nd in the Premier League and they are now 1 point behind rivals Manchester United who host West Ham United on the same evening. The side have a 2-4-0 away record this season and they have scored 7 and conceded 5 goals in those games.
City are actually unbeaten in their last 7 games in all competitions since a 3-1 loss at Ajax in the Champions League, although they have only recorded 3 wins in that time. The side have failed to win any of their last 3 away games in all competitions and they have won drawn their last 2 away Premier League games both 0-0.
Gael Clichy and Micah Richards are both missing, while Jack Rodwell is not ready to return for selection. Vincent Kompany will continue playing despite having a knee injury.
Head to Head
An Edin Dzeko goal was the difference between the sides last season when Manchester City recorded a 0-1 win here at the DW Stadium.
After failing to win on 7 visits to Wigan, City have won their last 2 visits to this Stadium.
Prediction
There has definitely been a little flatness about Manchester City at times this season, but they could be catching Wigan Athletic at a good time after the home side put in a big effort to record the win against Reading at the weekend.
I think there is every chance that Wigan could be a little down with the injuries in the squad meaning the lack of rotation could see them slow down as the match progresses.
City have actually kept clean sheets in their last 2 away games, although failing to win either game, and I think they will be able to expose Wigan in this one. Roberto Martinez won't have his side sit back and that means there should be spaces to exploit for City, and I think they are beginning to look a little more solid at the back.
With that in mind, taking City to win to nil at 2.75 being offered by Ladbrokes looks to be the call, something they have done on their last 2 visits to the DW Stadium.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Wigan Athletic 0-2 Manchester City
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Manchester City Win to Nil @ 2.75 (Ladbrokes)
