Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic V Everton

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 4 February 2012 – 15:00 GMT

Venue: DW Stadium

Preview

After becoming only the third team this season to condemn long-time Premier League leaders Man City to defeat, Everton will fear absolutely no-one this weekend – so lowly Wigan, who they edged out 3-1 at Goodison Park back in September, should be a breeze for David Moyes & Co.

There is a definite buzz around Merseyside right now, and it isn’t all down to Tuesday’s sensational victory over Manchester City. However, that result may well have signalled the dawn of a bright new era at Goodison, with the club going to such extremes as spending hard-earned cash in the winter transfer window – something we’re not used to seeing from Everton – as Moyes brought in three new recruits, two of which played a significant role in midweek, while the other is a former favourite around these parts.

The unveiling of Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic during half-time gave the whole place a lift, for a fee believed to be in the region of £6million, and within 15 minutes another new face had put Everton into the lead, against the side who were 4/9 favourites to lift the Barclay’s Premier League at the end of the season – Darren Gibson slamming home what proved to be the winner on a night when one of England’s most iconic clubs was, as clichés go, rocking.

As it goes, Wigan were also rocking in midweek (for entirely different reasons of course). Latics manager Roberto Martinez placed some of the blame for Tuesday’s comprehensive 3-1 defeat to Tottenham down to transfer speculation regarding some of his prized assets, with Victor Moses and Hugo Rodallega among those linked with a move away from Greater Manchester. So he, along with the consensus, will be delighted the window has slammed shut, in time for a crucial run of fixtures, all of which are winnable starting with Everton at home this weekend.

Tuesday’s defeat was Wigan’s fourth in succession in the league and left them without a win in eight Premier League matches, since beating West Brom 2-1 at The Hawthorns on 10 December. They are also out of the FA Cup as well, bowing out to League Two Swindon at the very first hurdle. So it genuinely is all doom and gloom around the DW Stadium at present, where Wigan have won just one solitary league game all season (W1 D4 L6) and have a similarly miserable record in this fixture: the Latics have faced Everton six times at home in the PL, with a record of one win, two draws and three defeats.

Baring all this in mind, you’d have to be one brave punter to opt for the hosts, who, even at generous odds of 5/2 (Bet365) at home, are seemingly impossible to back. Now, I wouldn’t normally advocate a bet of Everton at the best of times, and certainly not when they’re favourites, but Tuesday’s stunning result coupled with several eye-catching additions has given everyone at the club a new leash of life, or so it would seem. The Toffees actually look sweet at 5/4 (SkyBet).

Match Facts

Head-to-Head

Last meeting: Everton were 3-1 winners at Goodison Park on 17 September thanks to goals from Phil Jagielka, Apostolos Vellios and Royston Drenthe. Franco Di Santo had equalised for Wigan, who enjoyed more of the ball but created fewer chances.

Wigan have won only two of their thirteen Premier League meetings with Everton (W2 D4 L7 – Wigan’s record in PL versus Everton), failing in their previous six attempts since a 1-0 success in November 2008.

On the six occasions that Wigan have hosted Everton in the Premier League, the Latics have recorded just one win and scored a meagre four times (W1 D2 L3 / GF4 GA7 versus Everton at home in PL).

Wigan

It is eight Premier League matches without a win for Wigan after their 3-1 loss to Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Tuesday, with the Latics now four-points adrift of safety at the very foot of the table (W3 D6 L14 – overall record in PL this season).

Wigan have the poorest home record in the top-flight, registering a meagre 7 points from a possible 33, and are the only team not to have managed two or more victories on their own patch so far this season (Wigan home record: W1 D4 L6 / GF10 GA21).

No team has plundered fewer goals than Wigan (20), who have scored one goal or fewer in 18 of 23 PL games this season – and in 9 of their 11 matches at the DW Stadium.

On a similar note, no team has conceded more goals than Wigan (48), who have shipped 18 goals in six PL matches since Boxing Day and conceded on average 1.90 goals per home game.

Everton

Victory over Manchester City last time out (1-0) extended Everton’s unbeaten run to three Premier League games, four in all competitions, after they dumped out Fulham in the fourth-round of the FA Cup.

Everton haven’t managed to score more than one goal in a PL game since beating Bolton 2-0 at The Reebok on 26 November, 2011 – they’ve mustered eight goals from their eleven top-flight matches since then.

A draw at Wigan and Everton’s away record would be identical to their one at home (W4 D2 L5 away from home), with the Toffees winning one of their previous five away PL matches.

Betting

Prediction: Everton to WIN @ 5/4 with SkyBet

I have to admit, I didn’t give Everton a pray against Man City. I had my reasons, mind; like, for example, how they had lost to every top-seven opposition they had faced this season previously. Moreover, I could have cited their lack of goals (just three sides – Wigan among them – have scored fewer).

The latter is still a problem (scoring), however the signings of Steven Pienaar on loan and Nikica Jelavic from Rangers on a permanent deal could solve their problems. At worst, they’ll give the whole dressing room a lift, which should be enough, you’d think, to ensure they see off a hapless Wigan team who before long will find themselves stranded at the foot of the table unless their abysmal form picks up – and fast.

This is the first of a long line of winnable games for Wigan, who have to be winning them all if they’re to stay up, as their final few games are excruciating on paper. With this in mind, I am expecting a lot better than what I saw on Tuesday, when they basically rolled over for Spurs, however the momentum is clearly with the visitors who will have confidence and self-belief – my two favourite ingredients – oozing through their veins.

Value Bet: Everton 3-1 (Correct Score) @ 22/1 with Ladbrokes

Everton don’t normally do goals – but that was before Pienaar and Jelavic jumped on board David Moyes’ meandering ship. Both could feature at Wigan, especially with so many doubtful, and both will be keen to showcase their talents in a fixture which should allow them to do just that. Everton won this fixture 3-1 at Goodison last September, a score that flattered them. I see value in a repeat, only this time I reckon they’ll be deserving of the final score.

Match Odds

Wigan – 5/2 (Bet365)

Draw – 11/5 (Ladbrokes)

Everton – 5/4 (SkyBet)

Wigan V Manchester City

Date & Kick-Off: Monday, 16 January 2012 – 20:00 GMT

Venue: DW Stadium

Preview

A disastrous week was compiled for Manchester City after seeing their City rivals, Man Utd, cruise to victory at the weekend, with the Citizens now having just a share of the lead at the Premier League summit going into Monday’s clash with struggling Wigan at the DW Stadium. Roberto Mancini’s men will, however, regain the outright lead with victory over a side they comfortable beat 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium back in September.

It hasn’t taken Sergio Ageuro long to adapt to the unique style of English football, top scoring for his team with 14 league goals since completing his big-money move from Spain in the summer, and it was against Wigan, on 10 September, that he formally introduced himself to a worldwide Premier League audience by scoring a hat-trick. However he, like his team, have found life a little tough going away from home.

Following successive home losses, first in the third round of the FA Cup to arch rivals Manchester United (2-3) before suffering defeat in the opening leg of their Carling Cup semi-final with Liverpool (0-1), Man City’s 1-0 reverse at Sunderland on New Year’s Day may seem a long, long time ago – and they won’t want reminding, either. In reality it was a little over two weeks ago that a previously imperious City failed to win for the fourth consecutive away match, having previously come unstuck at West Brom (0-0), Chelsea (2-1) and Liverpool (1-1).

You will also notice a distinct lack of goals on the road – just two in their last four and none in their most recent two, of which neither were scored by top scorer Aguero. That’s because the Argentine ace has struggled for form away from Eastlands just as much as his team, with only four of his fourteen strikes having been netted at opposing grounds. He will, though – again like his team, fancy his chances of bettering his dismal away record at rock-bottom Wigan on Monday.

Without even kicking a ball, Wigan have dropped to 20TH in the Premier League courtesy of Blackburn’s stunning victory over Fulham on Saturday. That result leaves them needing to beat Manchester City, a team they have failed to even score against in all five previous league meetings, if they’re to leap off the foot of the table.

Victory for the Latics would also see them climb out of the relegation places, so the motivation is certainly there. Motivation alone won’t be enough; Wigan boss Roberto Martinez needs his players to play out of their skin if they are to stand any chance of stifling the top flight’s most formidable attacking force, a City side who have every intention of unleashing some pent-up frustration in Greater Manchester following a week to forget.

Impressive home draws with Chelsea and Liverpool does stand Wigan in good stead on paper, as does the fact City will once again be without captain Vincent Kompany (Suspended) and both Toure brothers (African Cup of Nations duty). Star man David Silva is also doubtful. However the hosts are missing their midfield enforcer, Mohamed Diame, who will be a big loss in the heart of their midfield.

Match Pointers

- Manchester City have won their previous four league meetings with Wigan without conceding a goal, although they have won only once in six visits to Wigan in the Premier League era (Man City record at Wigan in PL: W1 D2 L3).

- Last season’s DW Stadium encounter ended in victory for the visitors, Man City, who had strikes from Carlos Tevez and Yaya Toure to thank for handing them their first away win over Wigan in the Premier League at the sixth attempt.

- Sergio Aguero netted a hat-trick when these two teams met in Manchester in September in what was a comfortable 3-0 win for the Citizens.

- Hosts Wigan go into the game bottom of the Premier League on 15PTS, two points off safety and without a win in five league games (D3 L2).

- In their last match at the DW Stadium, Wigan were thumped 4-1 by Sunderland – although, before that humiliating result against a resurgent Sunderland side, Roberto Martinez’s team had held both Chelsea (1-1) and Liverpool (0-0) on home soil.

- The Latics haven’t won a Premier League home game since 27 August, failing in their last eight attempts (D3 L5).

- Manchester City have now won only one of their last five in all competitions (W1 D1 L3) and are without a win in four away from home (D1 L2).

- Wednesday’s 1-0 loss at home to Liverpool in the semi-final of the Carling Cup came right off the back of their hugely deflating 3-2 home defeat to arch rivals Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup.

Betting

I watched Wigan frustrate Chelsea and Liverpool at home this season; they performed exceptionally well in both. Mistakes were few and far between, they didn’t concede anywhere near as many chances as we all presumed they would, while they remained a threat on the counter throughout. Problem is, just how much can we truly read into those results?

Both Chelsea and Liverpool are as inconsistent as they come, with neither pulling up any trees at the moment from an attacking perspective. City on the other hand, although they have struggled of late, boast enormous goal potential – though that may not be the case should David Silva fail to make the squad.

For their industry and endeavour alone, Wigan merit anyone’s respect, but City are a different proposition from most and I fully expect them to steamroller the Latics on Monday – although I do think the hosts will cause a few scares for the visitors.

Without Kompany marshalling the defence and Yaya Toure dominating in midfield, City are vulnerable through the middle. Their spine has been dislodged so it’s inevitable that they will concede more goalscoring opportunities than usual. So it could pay to back goals in this match, for both to be more precise, as Wigan will be troublesome on the counter especially through Victor Moses, who has pace to burn and the odd trick in his locker.

Match Outcome: Manchester City to WIN – 4/9 Bet365

Alternative: Both Teams to Score – 10/11 StanJames

Match Odds

Wigan – 17/2 StanJames

Draw – 18/5 BetVictor

Manchester City – 4/9 Bet365

Wigan Athletic V Arsenal

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 3 December – 15:00 GMT

Venue: DW Stadium

Preview

Although their overall record against the Latics is very impressive, winning nine of their twelve Premiership meetings, Arsenal have encountered unexpected problems on recent ventures to Greater Manchester. Last season saw them squander a 2-1 lead, despite having a numerical advantage, while the season before Wigan produced one of the greatest ever comebacks in the Premier League, storming back from 2-0 down to score three in the final ten minutes of the game to seal a quite stunning 3-2 success. Will there be even more drama this time around at the DW?

Wigan go into the game on a high, after recording a 2-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last time out – their first maximum haul since August, would you believe, ending a drastic run of nine matches without a win. That result cost Steve Bruce his job as Black Cats manager, and it kind of makes you wonder how on earth Roberto Martinez is still at the Latics helm, after his side’s retched run of eight consecutive defeats from September to November. It’s now two games unbeaten for the Spaniard and his charges, though.

Last Saturday’s stalemate at home to Fulham will have left a bitter taste in the mouth of Arsene Wenger, who will have targeted maximum points in that fixture. To be honest, they were fortunate to ground out a draw and that setback, which ended a run of five consecutive league wins, combined with the disappointment of Tuesday’s Carling Cup defeat at the hands of a second string Man City team, and you could argue this is an opportunistic time for a club like Wigan to stand toe-for-foe with the mighty Gunners.

Wigan Athletic

League Position: 19th

League Form: LLLDW

After taking four points from their last two matches – this on the back of eight straight defeats – Latics boss Roberto Martinez has paid tribute to the character of his players ahead of Saturday’s clash with Arsenal at the DW Stadium, where they’ve not won now for a little over three months. Last week’s 2-1 win against Sunderland was their first since 27 August, ending a dire run of nine without a win.

Finally, things are looking up for Wigan. To take four points from a possible six is massive, a huge step in the right direction considering they registered a huge 0 in their previous eight. Even more remarkable has been their upturn in fortune in front of goal, having plundered five in two games – though equally remarkable is how they didn’t manage to win their last home game, against rock-bottom Blackburn, despite scoring three times.

That 3-3 draw with struggling Blackburn was Wigan’s last outing at the DW, which has never really been a fortress, more a happy hunting ground for everyone else. The stadium is never, ever full, not even when the top four or five teams in the country visit. Nevertheless, a half-hearted ground hasn’t stopped Martinez’s men from making a real fist of things against Arsenal in recent seasons, registering four points and scoring five goals in their last two encounters in Greater Manchester.

Roberto Martinez does have to content with any fresh absentees, so all his focus and concentration will go on shoring up a defence which has kept a clean sheet since their last victory at the DW, back in August when they beat QPR 2-0. They’ve conceded a minimum of two goals in all four of their home matches since. If that run holds up, Wigan won’t be taking anything from this fixture.

Arsenal

League Position: 7th

League Form: WWWWD

The past few weeks and months have been something to savour for Arsenal supporters. The same cannot be said for the past seven days, though, which could be further compounded at the DW this weekend – which is a real possibility when you consider how they’ve not won their since April 2009, conceding five on their last two visits.

With the top seven sides in the table so tightly group, a third consecutive slip-up away to Wigan is unthinkable. Last week’s hugely deflating 1-1 draw with Fulham at the Emirates dropped the Gunners back down to seventh in the table, twelve points adrift of leaders Man City but crucially three behind fourth placed Newcastle and the Champions League places. So victory is a must this weekend, especially given the nature of the fixture – this is arguably the easiest away outing for any team in the Premier League.

Exiting the Carling Cup at the quarter-final stage was far from ideal preparation, with a half-decent Arsenal XI beaten 1-0 by a second string Man City team. In the long run, that defeat could benefit their various causes, but in the short-term, considering the draw with Fulham was demoralising enough, it could affect the overall mood in the dressing room. I doubt it will be enough to deny Arsenal three points though, as the Gunners were playing some really tidy football – they had won five on the spin in the league before last week’s Fulham stalemate.

Gradually, this Arsenal team are coming together. They are by no means a finished product, while there are some who simply aren’t good enough – in my honest opinion – namely full-back Andre Santos and centre-half Per Mertesacker, but you can’t argue with their form: it’s now six unbeaten in the league (W5 D1) and if they can improve on last week’s lethargic showing, they should have too much class for a feeble Wigan.

Match Pointers

- Just one of the 12 Premier League meetings between these two sides were won by Wigan (a 3-2 win at home during the 2009/10 campaign), although the Latics have registered four points from the previous two encounters at the DW.

- Wigan ended their winless run of nine matches by beating Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light last weekend. Their last win at home, however, was back in August when they recorded a 2-0 win over QPR.

- Latics midfielder Ben Watson has two goals in his last two starts versus Arsenal at home in the league.

- Arsenal dropped their first Premier League points for well over a month last time out, with a 1-1 draw with Fulham in North London ending a five-match winning sequence for the Gunners in the league.

- Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to Man City in the Carling Cup was Arsenal’s first defeat in eleven games in all competitions, a run which consists of eight victories.

- Robin Van Persie has five in his last two appearances for the Gunners away from home in the league, while he netted a hat-trick against Wigan in last season’s league encounter at the Emirates in London.

Betting

Results wise, Wigan will take a tremendous amount of heart and belief from their last two outcomes, beating Sunderland on the road last time out and drawing at home to Blackburn in their most recent clash at the DW. However, you do have to take into account the quality of the opposition, which wasn’t great on either occasion, and the fact they’ve been woeful pretty much all season.

So naturally I expect the Latics to struggle this weekend, against far superior opposition to anything they have faced recently in the form of an Arsenal side still riding the crest of a wave after going six unbeaten in the league, winning five. Granted they weren’t entirely convincing away to Norwich in their most recent away encounter, but the fact they grounded out a 2-1 win shows how far this team has come in such a short space of time.

With Thomas Vermealen back in the side, bringing some organisation and discipline to the defence, Arsenal shouldn’t concede the sheer number they have done in recent ventures to Wigan. Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta will try to take the game by the scruff of the neck in midfield and with Gervinho and Theo Walcott providing pace and width on the flanks, I don’t see how the Latics will contain their visitors – nor a striker in such prolific form as Robin Van Persie, whom scored a hat-trick at the Emirates against this very opponent last season.

Match Outcome: Arsenal to WIN – 8/13 Coral

Value Bet: Arsenal 3-0 (Correct Score) – 11/1 Ladbrokes

Match Odds

Wigan – 11/2 Totesport

Draw – 10/3 VictorChandler

Arsenal – 8/13 Coral

Wigan Athletic V Blackburn Rovers

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 19 November 2011 – 15:00 GMT

Venue: DW Stadium

Preview

This has been Wigan’s worst ever start to a Premier League season, while Blackburn haven’t picked up fewer points at this stage since the 1996-97 term – so what we have here is a match made in heaven as the league’s two slowest starters slug it out for three coveted points.

Separated by a single point at the foot of the league, with both having mustered just one win all season so far, Wigan (20th) and Blackburn (19^th) already find themselves stranded due to their equally lethargic openings. A win for either side would not be sufficient as to lift them out of the relegation zone, but it would be progress nonetheless; visitors Blackburn have failed to win any of their previous six while Wigan are on a retched run of eight straight defeats!

Something has to give, right? Surely one has to profit from the other? Well, these two clubs are meeting for the seventh consecutive season, and in their previous twelve encounters there have only been two draws. The most recent meeting? It was only a seven-goal spectacle, with Wigan triumphing 4-3 at the DW Stadium.

It’s also worth pointing out that these two managers, Roberto Martinez of Wigan and Steve Kean of Blackburn, head the betting for the next managerial departure. Could defeat in this very fixture be the final nail in the coffin for one of them?

Wigan

League Position: 20th

League Form: LLLLL

It would appear there are no depths Wigan won’t sink to at the minute. As if their eighth consecutive league defeat wasn’t pitiful enough, defender Antolin Alcaraz spitting on an opponent during his team’s 3-1 loss away at Wolves last time out was a despicable act that only highlighted how in disarray the Latics currently are. This was supposedly the Wigan skipper, would you believe it, and he has subsequently been banned for three games by the FA.

So, Alcaraz-less, Wigan seek a hasty revival. From going their first three games of the season unbeaten, they’ve slumped to eight defeats in a row and are now the team propping up the table. Their last was arguably the most concerning, or perhaps ominous.

To lose 3-1 away at Wolves, who themselves were in dire straits at the time, hardly inspires confidence, while it was yet another performance which epitomised their season up till now; creating chances, even using the ball to good affect at times, but woeful in front of goal and even more calamitous at the back. Had it not been for goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who has been in sensational form between the sticks for well over a year now, the margin of defeat would have been greater.

The onus on Al Habsi to keep bailing his team out of trouble is far too much and it is time the forwards eased some of the pressure by putting the ball in the net up the other end. During this dismal eight-game losing run of theirs, Wigan have plundered an embarrassing four goals – failing to score on four occasions – making them the league’s lowest scorers, on top of being the league’s poorest side in general down in 20th.

Wigan are, unfortunately, a bit of a hopeless cause at the minute. Many are already viewing their demotion back to the Championship as inevitable, and on current form it’s impossible to oppose such an argument.

Blackburn

League Position: 19th

League Form: LDLDL

Playing away from the circus that is Ewood Park is proving a blessing in disguise for Blackburn, who in their previous two away assignments could have so easily ended their winning drought. They’ll be hoping third time’s a charm when they take on rock-bottom Wigan at the DW Stadium, whom they’ve not beaten in Greater Manchester in any of the previous four seasons.

Incredibly, Blackburn have only won once this season. I say that because their performances in some matches were outstanding, deserving of maximum hauls. However, Lady Luck is not sweet on Steve Kean, the Rovers boss who is continually bombarded with desperate pleas from fans to step down from his position as first-team manager, after the club’s worst start in the top flight for 15 years, and the 44-year-old Glaswegian is unsurprisingly the bookies favourite to be the next Premier League manager out the door.

As I said, the performances have been encouraging. Very encouraging indeed. Not many will claim they competed with Chelsea and Tottenham for the full 90 minutes this season, and Blackburn certainly did that – albeit still losing both, marginally, while they really ought to taken the spoils in their most recent away encounter. A 3-3 draw at Norwich will have been tough to swallow for Steve Kean, who saw his side lead 3-1 going into the closing stages only to concede an equaliser at the death courtesy of a dubious penalty decision.

A season filled with hard-luck stories, then, for Rovers, who away from home have kept just one clean sheet in their last 24 Premier League matches. A rare shut-out would not appear likely at the weekend either, not even away at Wigan, whom have failed to net in four of their previous eight games. That’s because defenders Vince Grella, Ryan Nelsen, Michel Salgado and Cristopher Samba are rated doubtful for the trip, while full-back Jason Lowe is suspended. Scott Dann should return, though.

Match Pointers

- Wigan have won two and lost none of their previous three Premier League meetings with Blackburn at the DW, but Rovers boss the head-to-head with seven victories to Wigan’s three. There have been just two draws in their twelve meetings.

- Last season’s corresponding fixture produced a seven-goal thriller, with Wigan 4-3 victors.

- The Latics have suffered eight consecutive league defeats and subsequently prop up the league in 20^th, winning only one of their first eleven fixtures (W1 D2 L8).

- Blackburn are without a win in their last six league games, with Steve Kean’s side floundering in 19^th after also managing just one win from their first eleven (W1 D3 L7).

- Rovers have scored in each of their five away matches this season, but on four occasions it was just a solitary goal.

Betting

Clearly bookmakers are of the same opinion as me, that Blackburn have shown some encouraging signs of mounting a recovery whereas Wigan cut a despairing figure and are generally a team to avoid at all costs right now.

Physically Blackburn have always been able to compete, however their football has improved leaps and bounds this season and I can see them playing Wigan off the park in a contest where whoever makes the least amount of mistakes should profit. The Latics make far too many on a regular basis, particularly in defence, so an improving Blackburn, who do have a few accomplished individuals in the attacking third, at 2/1 looks tremendous value.

For value, Blackburn have scored precisely three goals on two of their previous four trips to Wigan in the Premier League. Coupled with Wigan having conceded that same exact number on four occasions this season, three of which were in 3-1 defeats, Blackburn to win 3-1 could be worth a punt. They really ought to have won by that scoreline in their last away fixture as well, away at Norwich.

Match Outcome: Blackburn to WIN @ 2/1 VictorChandler

Value Bet: Blackburn 3-1 (Correct Score) @ 28/1 Ladbrokes

Match Odds

Wigan Athletic – 8/5 Boylesports

Draw – 23/10 WilliamHill

Blackburn Rovers – 2/1 VictorChandler

Wolverhampton Wanderers V Wigan Athletic

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 6 November 2011 – 13:30 GMT

Venue: Molineux

TV Coverage: LIVE on SKY SPORTS 1

Preview

A monumental meeting at the bottom of the Premier League this Sunday sees a Wolves side without a win in eight host hapless Wigan, who are currently on run of seven straight defeats in the league. The reward for the victorious party will be just three points, but it will feel like the proverbial six as two nailed-on relegation candidates go head-to-head at Molineux – which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 as part of Super Sunday’s double bill.

Usually in these types of fixtures, where two struggling teams meet both eyeing up each other as a means to an end – and in this case a means to their dire streaks, the onus will fall on the home side. However, Wigan aren’t in a position where they can afford to rest on their laurels, because they have none. Their current state of affairs are critical to say the least; Martinez’s Latics prop up the table in 20th, after one win all season, and are already three-points off safety.

On the topic of safety, Wolves are clinging onto the last position that doesn’t scream ‘DANGER’. Wanderers sit just two-points above the drop zone in 17th, three points better off than rock-bottom Wigan but just one bad result away from slipping into that dreaded bottom-three. In fact, defeat in this fixture for them, provided it is by a two-goal margin or greater, and they would be leapfrogged by the Latics.

So where’s your money going – on a Wolves side without a win since 21 August, or do you fancy Wigan to collect their first points since 27 August? It has been such a drought for both that you wonder if either actually remember how to win a game of football.

Wolves

League Position: 17th

League Form: LLLDL

Last season it was Wolves’ inability to take points off their survival rivals which almost cost them their Premier League status. This season, however, it’s been their inability to take points off anyone which is jeopardising their two-year reign in the top flight. Since the middle of August, which was when they last won a league game, Wolves have registered a meagre two points from 24 that went on offer. But they can at least take enormous heart from the fact one team has been just as abysmal as themselves – and it just so happens they face them this weekend.

A 3-1 loss away to Man City last weekend stretched Wolves’ winless run to eight in the league, six of which were defeats. So you can kind of see why some supporters aren’t happy with the current regime, and why Mick McCarthy has come in for some stick of late – even though he was instrumental in guiding the club back to the promised land, as well as the small matter of keeping them there for the past two years.

The last time Wolves were at home it was against newcomers Swansea, and it was also shown live on Sky Sports which meant we got a first-hand perspective of what McCarthy is dealing with. The hostility around Molineux right now is highly detrimental to the team’s chances of ending their dismal sequences of results, so you do wonder how the crowd will react should their team fall behind on Sunday at home to rock-bottom Wigan, who have suffered seven consecutive defeats.

Wolves’ fixtures at home this season haven’t been too difficult, which I suppose doesn’t entirely bode well for Sunday. They were winners first time out, versus Fulham, but it’s been a downward spiral ever since with defeats to Newcastle (1-2), QPR (0-3) and Tottenham (0-2), though their 2-2 draw with Swansea in their match in the Midlands felt like a victory considering they trailed 2-0 going into the final ten minutes. That comeback draw coupled with their valiant performance away at Man City last week, in which they almost came from two-goal down but ended up losing 3-1, could be the telling signs of a Wolves renaissance.

If Wolves are to kick-start their faltering season on Sunday, they will have do it without top scorer Steven Fletcher. The Scotland striker has been ruled out with a calf problem, meaning Kevin Doyle will once again have to work tirelessly up front on his own.

Wigan

League Position: 20th

League Form: LLLLL

Win, lose or draw – relegation or survival – it would appear Wigan chairman Dave Whelan will keep faith with manager Roberto Martinez no matter what the outcome. That has to be of huge relief for the Spaniard, who is a talented manager in my honest and humble opinion, because any other manager in his situation – at the helm of a team which has lost its previous seven league matches – would have more than likely faced the music by now.

So without feeling any added pressure from the board, Martinez can focus on what really matters, and that’s the football side of things and what happens on the pitch this Sunday. Ideally, Wigan would have liked this match at home, even though the DW Stadium is hardly a fortress these days, but Molineux isn’t a bad venue either. The home fans have been quick to turn on their team of late and an early Wigan goal would certainly work in the Latics’ favour.

Just like their opposite numbers, some green shoots of recovery can be seen in some of Wigan’s recent displays. Away at Newcastle in their last away fixture, Wigan were dogged and resilient, tidy on the ball, and although they didn’t offer too much going forward, had chances. To lose 1-0 was a massive blow and incredibly unjust. Then, at home to Fulham last time out, Wigan were beaten 2-0 despite enjoying the Lion’s share of possession and creating the better opportunities – but yet again it was their lack of cutting edge in the final which cost them dear.

Wigan have now scored just three times in their last seven league games, all of which were defeats while only one of those goals were scored whilst out on their travels. Now that’s some damning statistics if you ask me. It gets worse, though. Two of those goals were scored by midfielder Mohamed Diame, both crackers as well, and he’s a major doubt for Sunday. Meanwhile captain Gary Caldwell is suspended.

Match Pointers

- Four of the previous five league meetings were won by Wigan, who did the double over Wolves last season by winning 2-0 at home and 2-1 at Molineux.

- Wolves (17th; W2 D2 L6) are without a win in eight games in the Premier League, losing six and drawing two; they also managed just five goals during this dismal run.

- The Molineux outfit have conceded two goals or more in each of their previous Premier League home games, and on three occasions it was precisely two.

- Wigan (20; W1 D2 L7) have lost their last seven league games, by an aggregate of 3-15.

- The Latics have scored just one goal away from home this season, failing to score in four of their five awau league encounters.

Betting

Perhaps I’m being biased; I suppose I am seeing as I’m tipping them, but I’m rooting for Wigan this weekend, even though there’s little on paper which would suggest an away victory is even plausible in this fixture. The Wolves team does look better from an attacking point of view, with Mick McCarthy boasting a lot more creative outlets than his opposite number, who will once again rely on the quick feet of Victor Moses. Defensively, though, both are as poor as each other.

To be brutally honest, I wouldn’t want to back either side at short odds, so there’s no way I’ll be touching Wolves at the Evens mark. So I’m basically putting all my faith in Roberto Martinez masterminding a whirlwind of a Latics performance at Molineux, possibly inspired by Victor Moses, the 21-year-old who will be buoyed by his recent call-up to the Nigerian senior side; he’s also had more attempts on goal than any player in the Barclay’s Premier League this season without scoring. Something tells me he maybe due.

Match Outcome: Wigan to WIN – 7/2 Ladbrokes

Value Bet: Victor Moses to Score – 5/1 Unibet

Match Odds

Wolves – EVENS Boylesports

Draw – 5/2 StanJames

Wigan – 7/2 Ladbrokes

Newcastle United V Wigan Athletic

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 22 October 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)

Venue: St James Park

Preview

There are many who will have high-flying Newcastle down as their banker this weekend, with the Magpies – one of three sides still unbeaten in the league – hosting second from bottom and critically out of form Wigan at St James Park. But, as every manager continually stresses, there are no easy games in the Barclay’s Premier League, nor is there such a thing as a ‘banker’ in the betting populous.

Punters should also be wary of the volatile nature of Wigan. The Latics do have a reputation of propping up when you least expect them to, a team who win sporadically, while no one could argue that they’re due an upturn in fortune. Last week’s 3-1 home reverse to Bolton, who had previously lost six league games in a row, was in fact Wigan’s fifth straight defeat; a 2-0 home win over QPR on August 27 remains their last – and only – win of the season.

You can be assured that Newcastle won’t be taking their opponents lightly, though. Last season, Wigan almost completed a smash and grab victory at St James. Two goals within the space of one single first-half minute from Charles N’Zogbia, who has since found pastures new, seemingly put the Latics on the path to three priceless away points – that was until the Magpies dug deep into their reserves and snatched an unlikely point courtesy of strikers from Shola Ameobi and Fabricio Collocini, the latter’s coming in stoppage-time.

It was a similar scenario at St James Park on Sunday, when in-form Tottenham were the visitors. And yet again it was the character and mental resolve of Alan Pardew’s team which merited all the headlines in the morning’s back pages. Spurs twice took the lead, but this is a tenacious Newcastle side who, under a manager who is having to earn the respect of the Toon Army, never know when they are beaten. Demba notched his fifth goal of the campaign – scoring for the third game in a row – while Shola Ameobi netted his first, the all-important second in a 2-2 draw which kept alive their magical run.

So there should be no let-up or complacency from Newcastle. On top of their stunning eight-game unbeaten start that you can guarantee they’ll be fighting tooth and nail to protect, Pardew’s spirited charges will cheekily have one eye on consolidating their place in the top-four, the Champions League spots. It remains a big ask for them to remain in the upper echelons of the league, especially as they are still to tackle such likes as Chelsea, Man Utd and Man City, but while they’re in possession of that coveted fourth, they deserve at the very least to be mentioned as contenders.

So just how does Wigan chief Roberto Martinez go about ending Newcastle’s superb sequence of results? I know I wouldn’t want to be in the Spaniard’s shoes, nor would any manager for that matter, not those who caught a glimpse of last week’s highlights. Wigan were truly awful against Bolton, who were in a poorer vein of form than them at the time. I really don’t remember seeing a more hapless defensive display for quite some time, since the Latics were humbled by Blackpool on the opening day of last season in fact. Although their performance in general was riddled in errors.

Vast improvements are needed from Wigan if they’re to even compete at St James, against an opponent who exude confidence and self-belief. There are plenty in the Wigan ranks who’ll be doubting not only their own ability after last week’s debacle, but that of their team-mates as well. Everyone needs to pull rank, as at the present time Wigan are looking like bankers for relegation. Oh, I just remembered, there are no such things as bankers… this may be the one exception.

Match Pointers

- Newcastle have won three and lost none of their five Premier League meetings with Wigan at St James Park, although the last two both finished in 2-2 draws.

- The Magpies are one of only three teams still unbeaten in the Premier League (W4 D4), along with Man Utd and Man City.

- Alan Pardew’s team also boast the joint-strongest defence (6) as well, once again a shared honour with the two Manchester clubs.

- However, four of the six goals Newcastle have conceded were at home.

- Only Blackburn keep Wigan off the foot of the table, the Latics having lost their previous five league games.

- Wigan have lost three and won none of their four away games this season, netting just the one goal but conceding eight.

Betting

It almost sounds daft, but I am wary of Wigan. This almost looks too straightforward a task for Newcastle, who are the shortest odds to win I can ever remember seeing them. But their sensational unbeaten start has come about mainly through adversity; most of their opening fixtures have been tricky assignments – results have been achievable in them, but testing encounters nonetheless. This clash with Wigan at St James Park, in front of a capacity crowd who’ll be doing their bit, and then some, to rally their team, almost looks a given.

Taking the fixture at face value, however – Newcastle to win, and comfortably. I couldn’t back Wigan in any shape of form after watching them versus Bolton, nor could I oppose a Newcastle side in scintillating form striving to maintain their stunning start to the term.

Match Outcome: Newcastle to WIN – 8/13 Ladbrokes

Value Bet: Demba Ba First Goalscorer – 9/2 PaddyPower

Match Odds

Newcastle United – 8/13 Ladbrokes

Draw – 3/1 VictorChandler

Wigan Athletic – 11/2 Boylesports

Wigan Athletic V Tottenham Hotspur

Date & kick-off: Saturday, 24 September 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)

Venue: DW Stadium

Preview

Tottenham enjoyed their finest season in the Premier League era in 2009/10, a campaign that contained crushing victories over Wigan – winning 3-0 at the DW and 9-1 at White Hart Lane – and culminated in a top-four finish and qualification for the UEFA Champions League. However, Wigan turned the tables the following season – drawing 0-0 at the DW but stunning everyone with a 1-0 victory in London – and on reflection, after missing out on another top-four finish by six-points, Spurs manager Harry Redknapp may well have spent endless nights ruing the five costly points his team dropped against Roberto Martinez’s Latics.

So who will triumph in their latest duel – their thirteenth in the Barclay’s Premier League? The bookies have Tottenham down as favourites after the Londoners recently bounced back to winning ways in emphatic style, beating Wolves 2-0 at Molineux before romping to a 4-0 victory at home to Liverpool last weekend. In contrast, Wigan are eager to put the brakes on their slump in form: a 3-1 defeat at Everton was their second in quick succession in the league, following their 3-0 reverse to Man City at Eastlands, while it’s three in all competitions if you include their second round exit in the Carling Cup to Crystal Palace.

However, Wigan are without defeat in six at their DW Stadium in the Premier League and will entertain a Tottenham side who have only won two of their previous eight away league contests.

Wigan

League Position: 15th

League Form: LLWDD

Roberto Martinez must galvanize a demoralised dressing room ahead of Saturday’s clash with Tottenham at the DW Stadium, where the Latics can at least take some heart from their six-match unbeaten run in Greater Manchester. Moreover, Wigan have not lost at home to London opposition for over a year now, going their last five unbeaten in a sequence containing battling draws with Arsenal (2-2) and Spurs (0-0) while their most recent result against a capital club was a 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers – though that was before Rangers manager Neil Warnock brought in a raft of new faces on deadline day.

Wigan never stood much of a chance away at Eastlands against high-flying Man City a fortnight ago, and so it turned out as they were outplayed and beaten convincingly by three goals to nil. But that wasn’t the case away at Everton in their most recent assignment, despite a similar scoreline. A 3-1 loss at Goodison Park to Everton was a very harsh result on the Latics, who gave as good as they got – bossing the second-half for prolonged periods, creating numerous openings – before relinquishing what would have been a decent point by conceding twice in the closing stages of the game.

Unfortunately you don’t get a great deal of time to reflect nor dwell on any result in the Premier League – good or bad – which is probably a good thing for Wigan. So it’s straight back into action for the Latics, against another high-quality opponent, as prepare to take on an in-form Tottenham who in their last two league games have plundered six goals without reply, including last weekend’s hugely impressive romp over Liverpool, when comprehensively winning 4-0 at White Hart Lane.

News that Hugo Rodallega’s knee injury isn’t as severe as first feared has come as a boost to manager Roberto Martinez, who could also be without Emmerson Boyce and Steve Gohouri. What it does mean is new-boy Shaun Maloney will earn his first start in a five-man midfield as former Chelsea starlet Franco Di Santo, who netted a brace in Wigan’s last home game against QPR, spearheads the attack.

Victor Moses will be Wigan’s biggest threat going forward, despite the 20-year-old who posses extremely quick feet, bags of confidence and won’t be afraid to carry the ball long distances as the Latics attempt to ask serious questions of a Spurs defence which is set to be without two key individuals: Ledley King and Michael Dawson.

Tottenham

League Position: 11th

League Form: WWLL

An indifferent Spurs are finally stringing a few wins together and after dismantling an expensively-assembled Liverpool team last weekend, go in search of their third consecutive Premiership victory this weekend when they pay Wigan Athletic and the DW Stadium a visit on Saturday.

Back-to-back league wins, six goals without reply, and even though they were eliminated from the Carling Cup in midweek on penalties, it’s safe to say that Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham are back with a thud! Even wantaway Modric wants in on the action. In fact, it was the Croatian who began last week’s demolition of Liverpool at White Hart Lane. A stunning effort from the sought-after midfield schemer – arguably goal of the month – sent Tottenham on their way to a quiet sublime 4-0 win over top-four rivals Liverpool – a result that has well and truly put the cat amongst the pigeons.

No exaggeration, Spurs were out of this world against Liverpool. Harry’s team set an unrelenting pace right from the off that few teams would have been able to live with. Gareth Bale was a constant threat all afternoon down that left flank, although he was in a mismatch battle with Martin Skrtel. Luka Modric and Scott Parker, despite playing starting only their second game together, bossed the middle of the park, dictating the tempo of the game to their liking, while it was all one-way traffic as soon as Luka Modric’s stunning effort beat Pepe Reina all ends up. And don’t be fooled into thinking the dismissals of Charlie Adam and Skrtel for Liverpool affect the result, as Tottenham were world-class throughout!

The relationship and link-up up front between Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor up front is also a reason for fans to get excited, as much so as Luka Modric and Scott Parker’s potentially formidable partnership in the centre of midfield. Defoe and Adebayor have netted in both games the strikers were paired together from the off, plundering five goals in total, three for former Gooner Adebayor. Defoe, though will fancy his chances of overhauling the one-goal deficit – the England striker has scored more goals against Wigan than any other opponent, ten in all.

Redknapp is hopeful Ledley King will perform another miracle act by taking his place in the heart of the Tottenham defence, despite not training during the week. King is now imperative to Tottenham’s plans in the wake of captain Michael Dawson’s achilles injury. Aaron Lennon is nursing a groin problem, however Dutch ace Van der Vaart took just two weeks to recover from a hamstring injury and after playing 60 minutes in Tuesday’s Carling Cup defeat to Stoke – Spurs bowing out 7-6 in the penalty shoot-out – the Spurs play-maker is in contention although he may have to settle for a place on the bench with Harry Redknapp reluctant to change a winning team.

Match Pointers

The Latics registered four points from their two league games against Spurs last season, drawing 0-0 at the DW but surprising everyone with a 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane.

Wigan, though, have beaten Tottenham on just the one occasion at home in the Premier League (W1 D3 L2), back in January, 2009.

Manchester United were the last team to win a Premier League match in Wigan, back in February, with Roberto Martinez’s team unbeaten in their last six home league games (W3 D3 L0).

Tottenham have won two of their last eight away Premier League fixtures (W2 D2 L4), both coming by the way of 2-0 scorelines away at Liverpool and Wolves.

This new Spurs strikeforce of Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor has plundered five goals in two league games; two for the latter and three for the former, while Defoe in particular has been ruthless against this opponent, netting ten times in all against the Latics.

Franco Di Santo has three goals in as many league games for Wigan.

Betting Verdict

Quite simply, if Tottenham play with the same intensity and application which saw them blow Liverpool off the park, Wigan have no chance. Seriously. Even Manchester United would have had a job on their hands containing a fluent, confident and, to put it bluntly, rampant Spurs attack that should have notched more than four goals against a team who rarely concede, let alone in mass quantities.

Wigan, unbeaten in their last six home league games, must pull something out of the hat or pray an entirely different Tottenham team turn up on Saturday. To be honest, though, I don’t envisage another high-octane performance from Spurs. The DW is never a hostile venue to play your football, but it is extremely difficult on a run-down pitch where Rugby attracts a larger following than the football, which should favour the hosts.

The visitors are a little on the short side, but I still can’t oppose them, try all I might. The Latics have displayed enough cut and thrust so far to suggest a big win over a top-six team is in the offing. Spurs, meanwhile, are back amongst and are gradually finding their feet after a sluggish opening.

Match Prediction: Tottenham to WIN – 1/1 Boylesprts

Value Bet: Tottenham HT/FT – 12/5 Ladbrokes

Match Odds

Wigan – 17/5 VictorChandler

Draw – 5/2 WilliamHill

Tottenham – 1/1 Boylesports

Swansea City V Wigan Athletic

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 20th August 2011; 15:00 GMT
Venue: Liberty Stadium

Preview - The Barclay’s Premier League enters uncharted territory this weekend – Wales, to be more precise – with the city of Swansea set to welcome top-flight football back to its shores for the first time since 1983, as Wigan Athletic – survival specialists, after somehow evading the clutches of relegation for a sixth successive term back in May – look to spoil what is set to be one helluva party atmosphere at the Liberty Stadium.

On Monday, Swansea were handed a thorough reminder of what the Premier League is all about, after they were thumped 4-0 by Manchester City at Eastlands. But the final score didn’t tell the whole story. Brendan Rodgers’ men more than held their own for the best part of an hour, which by that time the score was still deadlocked at 0-0, and his side also enjoyed more of the ball – a remarkable 57% of possession in fact, while no team on the opening weekend completed more successful passes.

So it was easy to see why so many dubbed Swansea the Barcelona of the Championship last season, as my word don’t they retain possession well. But it counts for very little if you don’t use the ball to good affect, a concept the Welsh side struggled to get to grips with against Man City. But I do hope they didn’t leave Manchester discouraged; after all, they were up against the best defence in the division. One of the worst, in actual fact, is their opponents on Saturday, Wigan, a team who are at their most vulnerable away from home!

Wigan are hardly lambs to the slaughter, but the statistics behind them don’t do them any favours. Only relegated Birmingham located the back of the net fewer times over the course of last season than Wigan (40), who, while they did end the season with the ninth best away record: W4 D7 L9 (registering 19 points from a possible 57), won only four times on their travels; just one more than they managed in 2009/2010.

Furthermore, Swansea were imperious at their Liberty Stadium en route to promotion. No one, not even champions QPR, racked up more wins (15) or registered more points (50 from 69 on offer) at home than the Swans, who conceded just eleven times in Wales and haven’t lost a league match in their own backyard since February, winning six of their last eight in a highly-impressive unbeaten sequence that Wigan must show the utmost respect.

Betting - An historic day for Welsh football, but it’s crucial Swansea don’t let the occasion and all the euphoria surrounding the first ever Barclay’s Premier League match to be played in Wales get the better of them.

There won’t be an empty seat inside what was a fortress for them last season, their 20,000 capacity Liberty Stadium, and it’s crucial that they use all that positive energy to produce a whirlwind of a performance in what is unquestionably one of their most significant fixtures of the entire season, simply because it’s one of probably just a handful they have every chance of winning. Heck, they’re even favourites!

Wigan, though, are hoping their vast levels of Premiership experience will count for a lot in front of a partisan crowd that will get right behind the home side. They will, however, need to defy the odds.

Swansea Fact: The Swans are unbeaten in their last eight home league games, scoring 22 goals in that spell; an average of nearly three-a-game. PaddyPower go 4/1 on the Welsh side hitting the net a minimum of three times!

Wigan Fact: Wigan won four times on the road last season, two of which were by a 1-0 scoreline, including their very first away fixture at Tottenham. The Latics are 9/1 with StanJames to sneak another 1-0 win!

Match Odds:

Swansea 6/5 – PaddyPower
Draw 12/5 – SkyBet
Wigan 13/5 – Bet365

Verdict - The final score at Eastlands certainly didn’t do them any favours, however, I was encouraged by what I saw from Swansea on Monday. Every one of their players was comfortable on the ball; I don’t remember too many passes going astray in the middle of the park, while they were very tidy at the back as well, with Dutch goalkeeper Michel Vorn in particular excelling. Unfortunately the space and time Scott Sinclair and Lloyd Dyer were afforded in the Championship simply wasn’t there, as was to be expected against the leanest defence in the top-flight, but that shouldn’t be the case on Saturday against a Wigan side who definitely are not renowned for their defensive organisation.

I do worry for Wigan ahead of their visit to a sold out Liberty Stadium. The home side will keep possession for sustained periods and it’s imperative Roberto Martinez drills it into his team not to lose their shape or concentration, and certainly not to waste possession when they do manage to get hold of it. A tricky assignment but one which certainly isn’t beyond them, especially if Victor Moses is as how as he was last weekend.

A tough call this one, mainly because the occasion may well get to Swansea in a fixture they are hotly tipped to win. Plus, Wigan have slipped under the radar before and may well do so again. In the end, I had to base my decision on what I’ve witnessed so far.

Match Prediction: Swansea City WIN – 6/5 PaddyPower
Value Bet: Scott Sinclair First Goalscorer – 6/1 VictorChandler

Tottenham Hotspur

Manager: Harry Redknapp
Stadium: White Hart Lane
Star Man: Luka Modric
2010-2011 Position: 5th

Summer Transfer Activity (Notable Transfers)

Arrivals – Brad Friedel (Aston Villa)

Departures – Steven Caulkner (Swansea; Loan), Kyle Naughton (Norwich; Loan), Jamie O’Hara (Wolves), Jonathan Woodgate (Stoke)

Overview: After failing to finish inside the top-four for a second successive season, with it missing out on Champions League football, fans were hoping White Hart Lane would once again be a hive of activity over the summer. It has been anything but. At the time of publishing, goalkeeper Brad Friedel is Harry Redknapp’s solitary signing of the entire summer, an experienced keeper who has signed on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers, probably as cover for the usually error-prone Heurelho Gomes.

Despite the lack of new faces at the club, though, Harry Redknapp still firmly believes that his current crop are capable of mounting a title challenge. We think he’s mad! Spurs only just managed to pip a slow-starting Liverpool to fifth, and they’ve strengthened substantially during the summer, but yet arch rivals Arsenal ended the term eight-points above them in fourth while champions United were a resounding 18-points better than Redknapp’s charges.

Several quality additions are needed before Spurs are even considered title contenders, in my humble opinion, especially in their problem area, up front. I’m not even sure how competitive they’ll be in this intriguing battle for the Champions League places.

Furthermore, there is no guarantee that one of their star performers over the last two seasons will even be a Spurs player come September, with Luka Modric eager to switch allegiances and join Spurs’ London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge before the transfer window slams shut. Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart are two who could fall into the category of ‘world-class’, but there are question marks hanging over the pair of them after their form declined dramatically in the closing stages of last season.

You have to admire the club’s ambition, however Spurs could be found wanting over the forthcoming season, as several of their rivals have added to their ranks since the 2010-2011 season came to a head, in contrast to what’s been going on at Tottenham, which is basically not a lot.

TOTTENHAM TOP-FOUR FINISH: 7/2 BWIN

West Bromwich Albion

Manager: Roy Hodgson
Stadium: The Hawthorns
Star Man: Peter Odemwingie
2010-2011 Position: 11th

Summer Transfer Activity

Arrivals – Ben Foster, Billy Jones, Gareth McAuley

Departures – Scott Carson, Abdoulaye Meite, Boaz Myhill (Loan), Borja Valero, Gianni Zuiverloon

Overview: One of the more remarkable sights last season was Roy Hodgson accepting the vacant manager’s job at The Hawthorns, just months after he was sacked by Liverpool. However, it was a move which West Brom bore fruit from, as the 63-year-old instantly transformed the team’s fortunes on the pitch; he made the Baggies an incredibly organised, resolute outfit to play against, and in turn successfully kept them in the division with games and points to spare.

Now fans, after seeing the amazing turnaround last season, are in optimistic mood ahead of the new season, with the hope being that West Brom can go one better than their 11th-place finish of last season and finally break into the top-half. If their form in 2011-2012 is anything like it was during Hodgson’s fourteen games in charge last season, when the Baggies lost just two of fourteen, then a top-ten finish isn’t beyond the realms of possibility – especially as Hodgson has been able to add to his squad over the summer.

Billy Jones (Preston), Gareth McAuley (Ipswich) and Zoltan Gera (Fulham) all arrived on free transfers, while Ben Foster will be an astute signing on a season-long loan from Birmingham City. In the opposite direction went Borja Valero, Boaz Myhill, Gianni Zuiverloon and former Number. 1 Scott Carson.

Although supporters can’t help but get a little excited with how they finished the previous season, survival is once again the club’s top priority.

WEST BROM TO BE RELEGATED: 5/1 SKYBET

Wigan Athletic

Manager: Roberto Martinez
Stadium: DW Stadium
Star Man: Hugo Rodallega
2010-2011 Position: 16th

Summer Transfer Activity

Arrivals – Ali Al Habsi (Bolton)

Departures – Steven Caldwell, Charles N’Zogbia (Aston Villa)

Overview: The Latics are set to embark on their seventh consecutive season in the Premier League, but once again expectation levels around Wigan are low following a typically quiet summer in Greater Manchester in which Roberto Martinez staying on as manager was undoubtedly the club’s biggest coup.

A stunning victory away at Stoke on the final day of the season ensured  Wigan prolonged their stay in the Barclay’s Premier League. Unfortunately, Martinez is an outstanding player down after Charles N’Zogbia finally got his wish – a move away from The DW. The talented French winger joined Aston Villa for £9.5M in a move which could favour both parties, provided the Wigan manager finds a suitable replacement with the money gained, something he hasn’t yet been able to achieve.

Goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who was voted Player of the Season by both his peers and the Wigan fans for his superb displays between the sticks while on loan at the club last season, is Wigan’s only summer signing thus far.

Robert Martinez rejected a proposed move to Aston Villa so he could stay on at The DW, a bold decision which could be seen as suicidal considering Wigan will once again have their work cut out staying up. However, the funds are now in place for the Spaniard to bolster his ranks before the window closes at the end of the month, and if he could find a few goalscorer – a feat easier said than done – then Wigan could fare better than many people envisage.

WIGAN TO BE RELEGATED: 2/1 WILLIAMHILL

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manager: Mick McCarthy
Stadium: Molineux
Star Man: Steven Fletcher
2010-2011 Position: 17th

Summer Transfer Activity

Arrivals – Jamie O’Hara (Tottenham), Roger Johnson, Dorus de Vries (Swansea)

Departures – Adrianno Basso, Greg Halford, Marcus Hahnemann, Carl Ikeme (Loan), David Jones, Steven Mouyokolo

Overview: Words could not describe the emotions that engulfed Molineux on the final day of last season, when Wolves somehow evaded the clutches of relegation courtesy of Roman Pavlyuchenko’s stoppage-time winner at White Hart Lane as Tottenham recorded a 2-1 win over Birmingham City, saving Wolves’ bacon in the process as Mick McCarthy’s men stayed up by a single point. Now the Midlands club are set to do it all over again in the most exciting league in Europe.

An ‘enigma’ was what Wolves were during last season; lousy against their relegation rivals but truly exceptional against the league’s elite. Victories over Chelsea and Manchester United at Molineux were something the supporters will never forgot, but their 1-0 win away at Anfield against Liverpool was truly remarkable. So it really is amazing that Wolves only just managed to fend off relegation by a solitary point, although it served as a massive eye-opener for Mick McCarthy, the Wolves manager who urgently needs to address his side’s lack of consistency if the club are to avoid relegation for a third straight season.

Reinforcements have arrived in the form of centre-half Roger Johnson and midfielder Jamie O’Hara, although the latter did spend the second half of last season at Molienux on loan. I suspect one or two more could join before the end of the transfer window.

Wolves amassed a handsome tally of 40-points during 2010-2011 and while that was only just enough to keep them in the division last season, I would bet my house on as many points being more than enough on this occasion.

WOLVES TO BE RELEGATED: 3/1 BET365