English Premier
2011-12-26 - Manchester United vs Wigan
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Monday 26 December 2011 - Kick Off 3pm
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson has set his side the target of being top of the table on New Year's Day, something they can achieve if they win their final two games in 2011. The team have been in fine form considering all the negative stories that followed them since their exit in the Champions League, but Manchester United have shown why they are the Champions of England and they do not look likely to give that up without a fight.
A 0-5 romp at Fulham was an impressive result for United on Wednesday night and that leaves them 2 points behind Manchester City in the Premier League, while extending their lead over 3rd placed Tottenham to 7 points. The team have a 6-1-1 record at Old Trafford this season, scoring 23 goals while conceding 11.
United have won 3 straight Premier League games since losing to Basel in the Champions League, while they have now picked up 19 points from the last 21 on offer since the embarrassing home loss to Manchester City. There should be plenty of confidence in the side after securing back to back wins in West London with the added bonus of a couple of clean sheets.
Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out until the game with Blackburn Rovers next Saturday, but Phil Jones should be fit to take his place alongside Jonny Evans. Ashley Young misses out for the next few weeks, but Rafael has returned to the squad following a prolonged absence.
Wigan
Roberto Martinez has repaid the faith shown in him from Dave Whelan by helping his side produce some very effective results in recent games. This has given them a real shot to get out of the relegation zone before the end of the year, but this has never been a happy hunting ground for them.
The Latics are currently in 18th position in the League, and they are now just 1 point behind Wolves in the final safety spot. Wigan are 2-1-5 away from home, scoring 6 goals and conceding 14, and the team remain the lowest scorers in the League so far.
Wigan have gained 9 points from the last 18 available and they have only lost 1 of their last 6 games after a run of 9 straight defeats in all competitions. After a tough start to the season, they have won back to back away games in the Premier League to start moving up the table and they should have confidence from earning 2 draws against Chelsea and Liverpool coming into this one.
Emmerson Boyce is out, but Roberto Martinez has no other injury worries to contend with.
Head to Head
Manchester United have won all 13 games they have played against Wigan and they have been impressive in conceding just 1 goal in the last 8 games against the Latics.
United have won the last 4 at Old Trafford against Wigan with a clean sheet to boot, outscoring them 12-0 in those games.
Prediction
This should be a fairly routine win for Manchester United, although Wigan should cause a couple of problems in their current form.
Wigan have really been playing well in recent weeks, the Arsenal exception aside, and they are working hard to cause the bigger teams some real problems.
However, this is a totally different ask away from the DW Stadium and I think they will do well to keep the score down in this one.
In saying that, the Asian Handicap has been set at 2 goals, a total United have eclipsed in 2 of the last 4 meetings at Old Trafford against Wigan, so it really is one that could go either way.
I think United will cover the 2 goal deficit, but instead I will back them to 'Win to Nil' at 1.80 at Paddy Power. United have routinely won their games against Wigan without conceding a goal and the price looks just tempting enough to me here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 3-0 Wigan
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll have to back Manchester United Win to Nil @ 1.80 (Paddy Power)
