Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan Athletic
Football : England : Premier League
Saturday 28th August 2010 - Kickoff 3pm

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Tottenham Hotspur

On Wednesday night Tottenham wrote new page in club’s history book – after comfortable win against Young Boys, they are in Champions League group stages.

Peter Crouch was on fire, scoring hat-trick and little Defoe added another one. So strikers did perfect job, despite pre-match talks that only Crouch from 4 strikers was 100 percent fit.

But let's go back to Premier League. Tottenham played one game at home so far and after magnificient performance in first half were held to scoreless draw against Manchester City, who should and will be one of the contenders for Top 4.

Today, Spurs will welcome one of the weakest team in the League – Wigan. Tottenham still buzzing after good performance in midweek and should be fired up against Wigan. Team is in good spirit and is class above these opponents.

Spurs have massive squad but once again there are few signs that couple of regular starters will miss the game. Jermaine Defoe might be unavailable for the game, because Harry Redknapp wants him to undergo groin operation. Soon will be two weeks break because of international games and Jermaine could return in three weeks time.

Robbie Keane also could be moving to West Ham as part of the deal, bringing Scot Parker to White Hart Lane. Modric probably won’t feature as well.

Wigan Athletic

Wigan were demolished by Chelsea in May 8-0 and went on holidays. And it seems that they haven’t come back yet. Two shameful defeats in two matches without scoring and conceding 10! Team really looked out of order in both games.

Goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi arrived from Bolton and had first clean sheet for Wigan this season on Tuesday, when they managed to beat League One team Hartlepool 3-0 in Carling cup and he could be in goal against Spurs.

But the last two goals against Hartlepool were scored only in last 10 minutes of the game and it doesn’t give too much hope for the Latics fans that team is improving. Even Hartlepool manager after the game said: "If you'd have dropped down from Mars you'd struggle to know who the Premier League team was"

Birmingham City still chasing Charles N'Zogbia and are unsettling the player, but manager Roberto Martinez is fuming and is not accepting offer for the player, despite leaving Charles out of team squad for the game against Blackpool and letting play only ten minutes against Hartlepool.

This fuss is not adding extra confidence to team spirit.

Additionally, both Caldwell and Moses are injured and will miss the game.

Head to head

Last season Tottenham did not have any problems with Wigan destroying them here at White Hart Lane 9-1 (!!!) and also winning away 3-0.

In last 5 seasons in Premier League at White Hart lane hosts won 3 games and 2 finished as a draw.

The Betting Verdict

The nightmare start for Wigan should continue.

There is nothing positive coming from Wigan's camp and I don't expect anything new from them today. They always have been very poor away from home and White Hart Lane should be mission impossible.

I expect another solid performance from Spurs and Peter Crouch. I would go with bigger handicap win, if not For Wednesday's European game.

But Spurs should comfortably win by two goals here and maybe more.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Tottenham 2-0 Wigan

HANDICAP BETTING :

Main bet : Take Tottenham -1.5 AH at bet365.