English Premier
2011-12-21 - Wigan vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Wednesday 21 December 2011 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Wigan
A win over West Brom 10 days ago looked to be vital for Wigan as they were set to go into a tough period where they were due to face Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. A 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea at the weekend will be seen as a bonus point for Roberto Martinez, although it will be interesting to see how much they have in the tank for this game.
While the draw did not move Wigan out of the relegation zone, it did improve their point tally to 13 for the season, meaning they are now just 1 point behind the two teams directly above them in the League. The Latics are 1-3-4 at the DW Stadium this season, scoring 9 goals and conceding 16, giving them the 3rd worst home defensive record in the League and the 4th worst goals scored at home.
It looked like a run of 8 straight Premier League games had already doomed Wigan to demotion back to the Championship, something they have fought valiantly against almost ever since they came up in 2005. However, they have since picked up 8 points from a possible 15 to once again have the fans believing they can survive in the top flight. Wigan have not won any of their last 6 games at home in the League, although they have only lost 1 of their last 3.
Hugo Rodallega should be passed fit to play a part in this game, but Emmerson Boyce is out until the Manchester United game at the earliest. Wigan are not blessed with a huge squad and could start the same XI that earned the point with Chelsea.
Liverpool
Liverpool are still awaiting to hear from the FA whether Luis Suarez will be punished for his alleged racist remarks to Patrice Evra, but that has not stopped them performing on the field as they secured a 0-2 win at Aston Villa on Sunday to keep tabs on the top 4 and a place in the Champions League.
The win kept moved Liverpool back into 6th place in the League, but other results meant they reduced the gap to Chelsea in 4th place to just 3 points. They continue to play very well away from home and are now 5-0-3 in those games, scoring 10 goals and conceding 7, meaning they have the joint 2nd best away defence in the League. Only Manchester United have won more away games than Liverpool so far this season.
Liverpool have now won 3 of their last 4 games in all competitions and they have been playing particularly well away from home. The Reds have won 7 of their last 8 away games in all competitions, the only exception being a 1-0 loss at Fulham in a game they did dominate. Liverpool have also scored at least 2 goals in the 7 away games they have won in recent weeks.
There are no new injury worries for Kenny Dalglish as this game comes around during this busy period of football. Jay Spearing completes his final game of suspension, while Steven Gerrard is not ready to return.
Head to Head
Liverpool had won the first 5 League meetings between the teams when Wigan came up to the top flight, but they have since won just 2 of 7 games.
The Reds had won their first 3 games at this Stadium, all without conceding a goal, but Wigan are unbeaten in their last 3 here against their illustrious North West rivals.
The Latics have won 1 of the last 3 games, the other 2 both ended 1-1.
Prediction
Liverpool do not have a great recent record against Wigan and have not been helped by a pitch that seems to cut up badly during the Winter months and makes it tough to play a fast tempo of football.
However, they have been in fine form away from home and I think they may be able to take advantage of some heavy Wigan legs that put in an incredible effort in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
While the Liverpool win has been priced up at very short odds, I think there could be something in taking them to be leading at half time and going on to win the game at stand out prices of 2.40.
Liverpool have been leading at half time in their last 3 away wins in the Premier League, while Wigan have been behind at the break in every game they have gone on to lose in the League at home.
Add to this the fact that Liverpool have been leading at half time against Wigan in 4 of their 6 Premier League visits to this ground and I think the 2.40 could be a bit of value.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Wigan 1-2 Liverpool
