English Premier
2012-04-16 - Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Monday 16 April 2012 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Arsenal
Arsenal look set to return to the Champions League next season after an important run of form has put all the pressure on the three teams below them in the table. Arsene Wenger will not want to take part in the Qualifying section of the Champions League in August so will demand they finish in 3rd place in the table.
The team are 3rd at the moment with a 5 point lead over Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United immediately below them, and also 7 points clear of Chelsea who they will face here on Saturday. Arsenal have a very strong 12-2-2 home record this season, scoring 35 goals and only conceding 12, giving them the second best home defensive record in the League so far.
They recently suffered a blip against QPR in the League, but have bounced back with wins against Manchester City and Wolves. That means Arsenal have won 8 of their last 9 games in all competitions coming into this one. Arsenal have won 9 of their last 10 home games in all competitions, including 7 in a row. They have now kept clean sheets in 3 of their last 4 games here.
Gervinho is likely to be back in the squad for this game, while Kieran Gibbs remains doubtful.
Wigan Athletic
Roberto Martinez has insisted all season that his side have been playing brilliantly but have been unfortunate in not getting the results they deserve. However, the last few weeks have seen Wigan Athletic picking up the points which has given them a real sense that they can retain their place in the Premier League.
Wigan moved up to 17th in the Premier League after beating Manchester United at home in their last League game, but they remain just 2 points clear of Bolton Wanderers in the final relegation spot. Bolton will also have 2 games in hand over Wigan after this game is completed tonight. The Latics have a better record away from the DW Stadium this season, going 4-3-9, while scoring 16 goals and conceding 32.
They come into this game having won 3 of their last 4 Premier League games, the only exception being a very controversial loss at Chelsea. It is impressive considering this run of games has seen them beat the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United too. Wigan had picked up 7 points from 3 away games in the League before the controversial loss at Stamford Bridge.
Hugo Rodallega is back in training for Wigan, but it is still unclear if he will play any part in this match.
Head to Head
Arsenal beat Wigan 0-4 at the DW Stadium earlier this season, and they will look to continue their dominance of the home games against them.
The Gunners have won all 9 home games against Wigan in all competitions, including 3-0 here last season in the League and 2-0 in the Carling Cup.
They have not conceded a goal to Wigan in the last 6 games in this part of North London.
Prediction
Arsenal are the obvious choice in picking a winner from this game, but they are plenty short in that market and, like I said when Manchester United travelled to Wigan last Wednesday, I don't really want to under-estimate how well the Latics are playing at the moment.
Wigan have shown no fear while playing the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, and it seems the players are more than confident that they can get a result in this game.
There is the concern that the Wigan players and management staff are looking ahead to the much more 'winnable' game at Fulham next weekend, but they will also know that they need points from every game they have left as Bolton still have 6 games to play this season.
I am going to pick 'Both Teams to Score' in this game, despite the much improved performances of the Arsenal defence. Arsenal have also kept 6 straight clean sheets at home against Wigan, while keeping clean sheets in 4 of their last 5 League games, but there are some things that point to the fact that Wigan can score here.
Wigan have been playing a lot better in recent weeks and they do create chances. The biggest problem for them is that they don't have one player in particular that can put the ball into the net and so they can be a little wasteful. However, they have managed to score in their last 7 away games in the Premier League, including at Stamford Bridge, White Hart Lane and Anfield, and I doubt they sit back in the hope of securing a 0-0.
This has been priced at odds against that both teams are on the scoresheet and I will have a small interest on that.
The Pick :
Arsenal 2-1 Wigan Athletic
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll pick Both Teams to Score @ 2.00 (Ladbrokes)
