Wigan Athletic V Blackburn Rovers

Saturday 26^th December (Boxing Day) – 15:00 GMT

Wigan Athletic

League Position: 16th

Recent Form: LWLDL

(Wigan Athletic have scored at least once in their previous six home fixtures)

The Latic’s were given the week off after their live Monday night clash with Bolton Wanderers, a potential relegation crunch encounter, was postponed due to ‘adverse weather conditions’ although the pitch at the DW stadium was perfectly fine. However, the North has taken a battering this week with all the snow and ice, so it was advised that the game would be postponed and played at a later date. Something which should benefit the Wigan players as they’ve now had ten days off to recuperate over what is a gruelling period in the season.  

The Wigan players should be a lot fresher for Monday nights postponement and that’s just as well as they’ve been pretty poor of late. Not only are Roberto Martinez’s troops without a win in three games but Wigan have managed just one win in their last seven outings in the league, picking up just five points since the beginning of November, dropping thirteen points. They have had a very tough fixture period, though, but the majority of their recent fixtures were still winnable, especially the three home ones.

Fulham, Sunderland and Birmingham City are all teams that have paid the DW Stadium a visit since the start of November. However, Wigan’s only win out of three came against Sunderland by virtue of a narrow 1-0 success. They could only draw 1-1 with Fulham, a poor point in our opinion regardless of Fulham’s weekend antics, whilst they suffered their third home defeat of the campaign against Birmingham City, losing 3-2. Add this information to the fact that Wigan have lost two of their last three and it really does make the Latic’s a terrible bet on paper.

However, after spending their previous two league games on the road, we are confident Roberto Martinez and Wigan will appreciate the return home to a venue where the Latic’s are far less exposed. Their away record this season (2-1-6) whereas they’ve been a lot harder to overhaul at the DW stadium, with a more appealing home record (3-2-3). Still, both records clearly state how inconsistent a team Wigan are at present but, after a three match run without a win, surely they are well overdue some success and who better to face than a Blackburn side with terrible away tendencies this season.

Blackburn Rovers

League Position: 13th

Recent Form: DDDLL

(Blackburn Rovers have won just once on their travels all season, in nine attempts)

If you thought Wigan were going through a rough patch then you haven’t seen nothing yet. Sam Allardyce, who is still recovering from going under the knife, takes a Blackburn team without a win in six up North in what is expected to be a bitter, cold afternoon in Wigan. After looking at their form, their away results and their slim squad, it really does look a tall order for Rovers, despite Wigan not being at their best recently.  

The last time Blackburn Rovers travelled up to the DW stadium they were beaten in a resounding manner, 3-0. With Rovers failing to score in two of their last three away games, perhaps a similar rout could be on the cards this Saturday. Fulham usually take up the mantle of being the worst travelling team in the league but perhaps Blackburn have claimed the unwanted honour of such a bogus tag. However, when you go on a terrible away run such as theirs, just one away win in nine outings, then it’s easy to understand why so many are petrified of backing Blackburn in their away encounters.

Blackburn’s last and only away win this season came at The Reebok, against a team not too dissimilar to Wigan and at a similar venue. However, that was four away outings ago and Blackburn have since failed to get anywhere near repeating the same feat. They were smashed 3-0 at Craven Cottage, earned a dull point at Hull City, whilst made a quick return to losing ways when they lost 2-1 at Birmingham. So, it’s now three away games without a win, two defeats in three and Rovers have failed to score in two of their previous three away outings. With this said, it will come as little surprise to hear that Blackburn have one of the leagues worst away offensive records, having scored just six goals in nine away ventures, whilst shipping an horrific 23 goals in return. You would think it was Halloween at Ewood Park and not Christmas, such is the horror surrounding their form in just about every department.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Wigan Athletic W: 2 Blackburn Rovers W: 5 Draw: 1

Blackburn may be in cruise control on the h2h but they will feel uneasy in the knowledge that they haven’t beaten Wigan at the DW stadium in their previous two visits, with Wigan winning the last two encounters on home soil. What’s more, Blackburn’s defence has been split wide open on both occasions, with Wigan scoring no less than eight goals in two home meetings with Rovers, with Blackburn managing three in return, although they didn’t score any in last seasons DW meeting.

Playing at home really was an advantage both last season and the season before. The last four meetings between the two have gone the way of the home side. Moreover, while both encounters finished in home wins, the home side didn’t concede a single goal in the process. However, in Wigan’s 3-0 victory over Rovers last season, the three goalscorers have all moved to pastures new, whereas Blackburn’s goalscorers in their home win are both still plying their trade at the club.

Match Verdict: Wigan Athletic – 2.30 Bet365

We hate backing Wigan because they are so blooming hard to predict. However, they won’t get many easier opportunities to notch up three points than a home fixture with a poor travelling Rovers team. Blackburn have only avoided defeated twice on the road, whereas Wigan, when they do decide to play well, tend to produce their better football at the DW stadium. Not one of our more confident selections but a Wigan win for us, nevertheless.

Match Odds:

Wigan Athletic – 2.30 Bet365

Draw – 3.25 Boylesports

Blackburn Rovers – 3.40 SkyBet

Fancy a challenge?! – Last season saw the first two meetings between the two finish with the away side failing to score. In eight league meetings, the home side has only failed to score on two occasions, but this hasn’t happened in the past four fixtures between Wigan & Blackburn. So, our question is, will both teams score at The DW this Saturday, or will one side claim a rare clean sheet?

Both teams to score odds:

Yes – 1.91 WilliamHill

No – 1.91 WilliamHill

Our challenge pick – No!

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For those of you who fancy yourself against Matt, feel free to send us your challenge selection and those who do beat Matt will get a mention on the related preview. There is no actual prize up for grabs… just bragging rights?!

Send us your challenge pick to: challenge@soccerbetting.info