English Premier
2012-12-08 - Wigan Athletic vs Queens Park Rangers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 8 December 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Wigan Athletic
A harsh decision from Mike Jones on Monday night left Wigan Athletic behind the eight ball in a 3-0 loss at Newcastle United and has also left them a little short in defensive positions ahead of this game. Roberto Martinez will also feel that it isn't games at St James' Park and the like that will sort out Wigan's future, but ones like the one they face at home on Saturday afternoon.
The defeat at Newcastle means Wigan are left in 16th place in the Premier League table, but they are only 2 points clear of Southampton in the final relegation place. The importance of this game will not be lost on the home fans as they are 8 points clear of opponents Queens Park Rangers at the bottom of the table and will want to extend that lead. Wigan are 2-2-4 at home this season, scoring 11 goals and conceding 15 in those games.
Since a surprise win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, Wigan have lost 4 of their last 5 Premier League games with the only exception being a 3-2 win over Reading thanks to a last minute winner. Wigan have lost 2 of their last 3 home games in the League, conceding 2 goals in each of those games. In fact, Wigan have conceded at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 9 Premier League home games.
Despite the harsh sending off, Maynor Figueroa is suspended along with Steven Caldwell. Both Ivan Ramis and Antolin Alcaraz are hoping to return from injury as Wigan look short at the back. Shaun Maloney, Albert Crusat and Ryo Miyaichi are all also hopeful of returning from injury in this one.
Queens Park Rangers
Harry Redknapp has seen some improved performances from Queens Park Rangers since he took over as manager from Mark Hughes, but the results have still not been forthcoming and they look in a desperate spot in the Premier League. A 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa at home last weekend means the side has hosted the 3 teams directly above them in the table and picked up just 2 points.
QPR are bottom of the Premier League table and have to make up 7 points on Aston Villa in the final position of safety, while they also have a significantly worse goal difference than them. They have a 0-2-6 away record so far this season, scoring 6 goals and conceding 14.
Back to back draws against Sunderland and Aston Villa is not enough for Rangers if they are to survive in the top flight and they remain the only club in the League yet to win a game this season. At least the results means QPR have snapped a run of 3 consecutive defeats, while their away draw at Sunderland stopped a run of 6 away defeats in a row.
Julio Cesar is still a doubt, while Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson are long-term absentees. Stephane Mbia and Samba Diakite are also doubtful for this one.
Head to Head
Wigan Athletic are unbeaten in their last 3 home games against Queens Park Rangers and beat them 2-0 here last season.
That is actually the only time Wigan have beaten QPR at home in 4 historical meetings.
Prediction
This is a tough game to predict as Wigan Athletic are missing a number of defenders and look vulnerable at the back, while Queens Park Rangers are hardly a team that keeps a lot of clean sheets with the game at Sunderland an exception rather than the rule.
This is a big game for both teams too as a win for Wigan would push them clear of the relegation issues and likely consign QPR to one of those positions, while a win for Rangers will give them some momentum.
With Wigan conceding 2 goals per game at home over their recent home games, there will be chances for QPR in this one and it does point to seeing at least 3 goals in the game.
6 of the 8 Wigan home games has seen that mark reached and at 1.92, that is my call in this one when neither team will be too happy with a point shared.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Wigan Athletic 2-2 Queens Park Rangers
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.92
