Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan
Football: English Premier League
Tuesday 31 January 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm

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Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur did not have a very effective performance in their 0-1 win at Watford last time out in the FA Cup, and I did wonder how much of that was down to the fact that Harry Redknapp has been away from the training ground attending his Tax Evasion charge. That case is on-going, but I do expect the side to play better with a few of their bigger guns restored to the starting line up.

The team are 3rd in the Premier League and are in a good position to make a return to the Champions League this season, something they had placed at the top of the priority list at the start of the season. Spurs are 8 points behind Manchester City at the top of the table, but have a 10 point lead over Arsenal in 5th place. They are 8-2-1 at White Hart Lane this season, scoring 21 goals and conceding 9.

Spurs have lost just 1 of their last 11 games in all competitions, that coming in the unfortunate 3-2 loss at Manchester City in the League in their last game. The team drew 1-1 with Wolves in their last League game at White Hart Lane, but they had won 8 of their last 9 here before that.

Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon will need late fitness tests, but Gareth Bale should return. Ledley King may not be risked with a trip to Liverpool in mind, while Luka Modric has recovered from his illness that affected him during his time on the field against Watford.

Wigan

For a few seasons now, Wigan have just about managed to scramble their way to safety in the final weeks of the season and it seems obvious that they will have to do the same thing this year if they are to remain in the top flight. Roberto Martinez has them playing the right way, but it is points and not style that keeps teams in this League.

Wigan are bottom of the League table, having earned just 15 points so far from their 22 League games. That means they are already 4 points from the safety zone and they also have a vastly inferior goal difference to their rivals. The Latics are 2-2-7 away from home this season, scoring 9 goals, but also conceding 24 goals in those games.

After a mini-revival saw the team pick up 10 points from a possible 24 on offer, Wigan have now lost 4 games in a row in all competitions including a shocking 2-1 loss at Swindon Town in the FA Cup. They had lost 1 in 4 away games in the League before a 3-1 loss at QPR last time out, and they had lost 5 in a row before that. Of Wigan's 7 League defeats away from home, 6 have come by at least 2 goals.

Jean Beausejour has been signed from Birmingham and could make his debut in this game. Antolin Alcaraz is out, but David Jones and Sean Maloney could be back in the starting line up. Hugo Rodallega was the subject of a bid from Fulham during the week and continues to be linked with a move away from the club.

Head to Head

Tottenham Hotspur were the 1-2 winners at Wigan earlier this season and will be looking for revenge after losing here to the Latics last season.

Spurs had won 3 of their previous 4 home games against Wigan, including a 9-1 win in 2009/10.

Prediction

I think this is a big game for Tottenham Hotspur to keep their challenge for a top 4 berth well on course and they will not want to drop more points at home after a disappointing 1-1 draw here with Wolves last time out.

They should get plenty of space to use their creativity and pace to create chances as Wigan are not the kind of team that will look to shut up shop or kick opponents off the park. The Latics like playing football with style and panache themselves and that means they do allow teams to create chances against them.

I expect the pace of Gareth Bale to cause problems, while Luka Modric and Rafael Van der Vaart should earn plenty of space to cause problems.

Wigan have a few issues to contend with as players could be moving on with the transfer window closing and I think this is going to be a tough day in the office for them. They have lost heavily at Manchester City and Manchester United already this season, and have also lost 6 of 7 away games by at least 2 goals, suggesting the belief evaporates if they do fall behind in games.

Tottenham are more than capable of scoring a few goals, so I will take them to cover the Asian Handicap.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Wigan

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll take Tottenham Hotspur - 1.75 Asian Handicap @ 1.90 (188Bet)