English Premier
2013-01-01 - Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Tuesday 1 January 2013 - Kick Off 3pm
Wigan Athletic
Roberto Martinez is no fool and he has been vocal about the next month being very important for his side as they have a number of winnable games. That came out before the trip to Villa Park on Saturday and it was clear that Wigan Athletic had responded to his urgings with an impressive 0-3 win.
That result means Wigan will not be in the bottom 3 of the Premier League on New Year's Day and they will come out for kick off in 16th place in the table. Wigan's 18 points means they are 1 point clear of Southampton in the final relegation spot. The side have a 2-3-5 record at the DW Stadium this season, scoring 13 goals and conceding 18 in those games.
The win at Villa Park means Wigan ended a run of 6 games without a win in which time they had picked up just 1 point and had lost 3 in a row before Saturday. They have failed to win any of their last 3 games at the DW Stadium and Wigan have actually been beaten in 2 of those games including 0-1 by Arsenal last time out in front of their own fans.
Ben Watson will be missing, while both Antolin Alcaraz and Ryo Miyaichi are doubtful.
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson rotated his squad on Saturday and would have been very happy to have been rewarded with the three points and an important clean sheet. The manager is celebrating his 71st birthday on New Year's Eve and clearly showed his fire is burning brightly after his comments about Newcastle United and in particular Alan Pardew on Friday ahead of the win over West Brom.
The most important birthday present that Sir Alex would have been looking for is maintaining their lead over Manchester City in the Premier League and Manchester United have done that by opening 2013 with a 7 point lead in the table. United have been the best away team in the League with a 7-1-2 record, scoring 22 goals and conceding 15 in those games.
Manchester United are unbeaten in 5 games in all competitions since a 0-1 loss to Cluj in the Champions League, while they are unbeaten in 8 Premier League games while winning 7 of those. Since losing back to back away games at Norwich City and Galatasaray, United have been unbeaten in their last 3 away games, winning 2 of those.
Expect some more rotation in this one with the likes of Rafael, Rio Ferdinand and Robin Van Persie expected to be restored. Phil Jones should be passed fit, but Wayne Rooney, Anderson and Nani are all still missing. Nemanja Vidic could be rested having recently returned to the side.
Head to Head
While many point to the 4-4 draw with Everton as being the one that cost Manchester United the title last season, the staff will mainly point to the 1-0 loss at Wigan Athletic as being the key to their failure with that result coming in April 2012.
United had previously won all 6 visits to Wigan in their history.
Earlier this season, United beat Wigan 4-0 at Old Trafford.
Prediction
Wigan Athletic earned a huge three points at Aston Villa last Saturday and I think this game is seen as a 'bonus' one from which they can take points from. However, I think Manchester United are playing too well at the moment and will be able to take advantage here.
While United don't have many clean sheets this season, the one they earned on Saturday will be huge for confidence and I think they can back that up with another in this game and also win the game, that being offered at 3.20 by Coral.
Wigan have already been beaten by Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal without scoring this season and I think United have definitely been a little better in defensive positions from their last 2 away League games.
United are also fairly comfortable with the way Roberto Martinez will set his side out to play and that can be highlighted by the fact that they have only conceded 2 goals against Wigan in their last 11 games against one another.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Wigan Athletic 0-1 Manchester United
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Manchester United Win to Nil @ 3.20 (Coral)
