English Premier
2011-09-24 - Wigan vs Tottenham Hotspur
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Premier League
Saturday 24 September 2011 - Kickoff 3pm
Wigan
Wigan are one of a number of teams in the Premier League that know they will likely be involved in a relegation battle all season, but they have a talented manager, a great owner and a team that has been there and done in when it comes to gaining points under pressure and all of that should serve them well this year.
The Latics are 15th in the Premier League table having picked up 5 points from their opening 5 games, although all of their points have come against the 3 newly promoted sides. They are 1-1-0 at the DW Stadium this season, scoring 3 goals and conceding 1 in those games against Norwich and QPR.
There is a bit of an issue for Wigan coming into this fixture as they have lost their last 3 games in all competitions, all away from home, and they have conceded 2 or more goals in each of those games. On the other hand, they have increased their unbeaten run at home to 6 Premier League games following on from last season and their last loss was to Manchester United at the end of February. Wigan only lost 6 of 19 games at home in the League last season.
The big news for Roberto Martinez was the loss of Hugo Rodallega to a knee injury last week meaning he is missing the two vital pieces of his team from last year including the sold Charles N'Zogbia. Emmerson Boyce is a fitness doubt, while Antolin Alcaraz and Steven Gohouri are out.
Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Redknapp suggested his team's season was starting a little late after 2 hammerings by the Manchester clubs, and they seem to have responded of late with improved results and performances while a Carling Cup exit during the week will not have worried Redknapp too much either.
Tottenham moved up to 11th in the Premier League thanks to an impressive 4-0 win over Liverpool last Sunday. They have now picked up 6 points from their 4 League games this season while the squad looked happier in the last 2 weeks. Spurs are 1-0-1 away from home this season, scoring 2 goals and conceding 3 in those games.
Spurs may have lost on penalties at Stoke, but that does mean they have secured 4 straight clean sheets in all competitions since conceding 5 to Manchester City. They have drawn their last 2 away games in the Europa League and Carling Cup with much changed sides, but have won 2 Premier League games in a row.
Michael Dawson and Steven Pienaar are long term absentees and remain sidelined. Niko Kranjcar and Aaron Lennon are both doubtful too, and there should be a number of changes from the team that played at Stoke in the Carling Cup with the likes of Brad Friedal, Ledley King, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Emmanuel Adebayor sure to be restored to the starting line up.
Head to Head
Wigan surprised Tottenham in both League meetings last season, keeping clean sheets in both and picking up 4 points thanks to a home draw and a win at White Hart Lane.
Spurs did the double over Wigan the season before last, including a 9-1 thumping at home.
The teams have both picked up 1 win apiece and drawn 3 of the last 5 games played at the DW Stadium.
Prediction
This should be a good game to watch between two teams that like getting the ball down and playing attractive football, but I think it will be Harry Redknapp's boys who will be travelling back down the M6 with another 3 points in their pocket.
Wigan have lost a key player in Hugo Rodallega and I think it leaves them a little short when it comes to scoring goals as they have only 2 fit strikers in the squad.
This could be shown up against a Tottenham team that have upgraded their forward options by bringing in Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City, a player that has already scored 3 goals in 2 games for his new team. If Redknapp can keep him motivated, it could be the signing that propels them to a top 4 berth, although for now I will concentrate on him helping his team to 3 points.
Spurs won more away games than everyone in the Premier League, apart from Arsenal and Manchester City, last season and showed their confidence when beating Wolves this year at Molineaux while the home side were still unbeaten.
I would struggle to think Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City or Manchester United would be placed at odds against when playing at Wigan so I think the away team are worth chancing.
The prices have already taken a sharp turn downwards in a number of places, but the 2.05 at Stan James is worth an interest in.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Wigan 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Tottenham Hotspur @ 2.05
