ENGLISH OTHER BETTING PICK - ARSENAL V WIGAN

English Other

2010-11-30 - Arsenal vs Wigan

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Football : English Carling Cup
Tuesday 30 November 2010 - Kickoff 7:45pm

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Arsenal

Arsenal have had an up and down season but there are clear signs that winning a trophy is not too far around the corner. However, Arsene Wenger is also well aware that there is a certain millstone around the neck of the club as its well known that there have been 5 years passed since they last put any silverware in the trophy cabinet.

Due to this time that has passed, Arsenal have also been putting a stronger line up in the Carling Cup than in previous seasons when they very much used a youth side. This year the likes of Samir Nasri, Marouane Chamakh and Andrey Arshavin have been used as they have progressed through the rounds. The Gunners beat Tottenham in extra time in the 3rd round and then beat Newcastle heavily at St James' Park in the last round to progress into this Quarter Final tie.

It has not been the best year in front of their own supporters at the Emirates Stadium, especially domestically. Arsenal are 4-0-3 at home in the League, scoring 17 goals but conceding 9.

Cesc Fabregas and Sebastien Squillaci are both out for this game while there has to be a decision made if Robin Van Persie is to be risked. I expect Theo Walcott and Nicolas Bendtner to receive more game time and a strong team to be named.

Wigan Athletic

Wigan lost a vital game at the weekend to West Ham United and have seen their side slip into the bottom 3 in the Premier League. Roberto Martinez has made it clear this season that the League is his priority and survival is key and thus the cup competitions were expected to take a back seat this season.

That does not mean that progress to the Quarter Finals are to be ignored as an achievement, it simply means that a number of changes have been made to the team in each round but Wigan have been good enough to move through. The Latics began in the 2nd round of the competition due to no European commitments and have beaten lower League opposition in each round. So far, Wigan have beaten Hartlepool away and followed that with home wins over Preston and Swansea.

Wigan had begun the season in strong fashion away from home, but recent results have not been so good for them. They are 1-2-4 away from home, scoring 5 goals and conceding 11. Wigan have failed to win any of their last 6 away games, losing 4 in a row including that loss at Upton Park on Saturday.

Tom Cleverley is ineligible for this game while Gary Caldwell remains sidelined. Antolin Alcaraz is available after serving a 1 game suspension.

Head to Head

Arsenal have won all 7 home games against Wigan Athletic, 5 of those taking place in the Premier League and 2 of those in this competition.

Arsenal beat Wigan 3-0 in this competition in November 2008 when a very young side was put out by Arsene Wenger.

Prediction

The Carling Cup is always a tough competition to predict, simply because of the different approaches taken by managers over the seasons. This is a prediction based on what we have seen so far this season, but make sure to research team news yourselves.

Arsenal have been playing a strong team so far as it seems clear that the competition is no longer seen as a burden, but a chance to fill a trophy cabinet and give these players a taste of success.

Wigan have been making a number of changes in each game in this competition and it is clear that Roberto Martinez has prioritised the Premier League.

I feel the best play here may be to take Arsenal win on the Asian Handicap. I will be keeping bets relatively low simply because of the competition or until I am given set teams, but Arsenal have been playing a stronger team and Wigan have not been.

So I believe the Arsenal team with minimum changes is better than a Wigan team with majority changes and will take the Gunners here.

The Pick :