Wigan Athletic V Manchester City – Sunday 18th October

 

Kick-off: Sunday 18^th October – 16:00 GMT

Venue: The DW Stadium

 

 

Wigan Athletic

 

League Position: 12th

Recent Form: LWLWL 

 

Wigan really are your common Jekyll & Hyde side at present. If you see a Wigan Athletic spring up out of nowhere they’re sure to lose their following fixture, it’s like a gift-wrapped present from the footballing Gods. Twice now Wigan have surprised us all with tremendous performances and results. The first coming away at Aston Villa, beating them 2-0 on their own patch, while the second came in front of their home fans, banishing their 34 match win less streak against the ‘Big Four’ by beating Chelsea, comprehensively, 3-1. However, it doesn’t take a genius to guess how they followed those stunning results up… Yes, you’ve guessed it, in defeats!

  

After catching the eyes of the nation with a supreme victory over Chelsea at the end of last month, Wigan then went onto lose away at Hull City, a team who only win once in a blue moon, no, make that every lunar eclipse. However, this game with City has the makings of another Wigan chick flick, with a romantic finish at the end in the form of three points, which will be followed by the horror sequel when they lose at Burnley the following week. I really should direct movies.

 

Three wins and five defeats has left Wigan in 13^th position with nine points to their name, not bad, but the amount of losses has to be a major concern. Although, two of those were to ‘Big Four’ teams so we can forgive them, slightly. However, when there is a plus point with Wigan it’s generally followed by a negative. Wigan’s defeats to Hull City & Wolves this season are dreadful, as well as their dire form against the bigger sides in the league, their previous streak of 34 matches without a win over any of the ‘Big Four’ a big negative. Now, City aren’t yet a top four team but they aren’t too far off so will the top four voodoo return to the DW?

 

 

 

Manchester City

 

League Position: 4th

Recent Form: WWLWD

  

The Free spending Man City head to the DW this Sunday as they bid to notch up their sixth win of the season. They have been one of the more consistent teams this season, especially against the lesser sides in the league and they will be setting their sights on all three points against a Wigan side that recently claimed the scalp of Chelsea, at the very same venue.

  

City will need to have their wits about them as Wigan are quite literally a red herring. They are either very, very good or very, very bad. City, however, are generally pretty good on a regular basis this season, which makes a change from seasons of old. The fact that they spent the big bucks over the summer as obviously helped their cause but City are rapidly becoming a dangerous side earlier than many had first anticipated. They are already in a very handy position, currently sat in fourth just five points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand.

  

If City are to maintain their title challenge then they must beat teams of Wigan stature. Although they do come into this game off the back of a draw, that draw was against a quality opposition in the form of Aston Villa, drawing 1-1 at Villa Park. Craig Bellamy got on the score sheet once again and his strike maintained City’s run of scoring in away outings. City have now scored in five consecutive away games, with some goals coming at tough venues with one coming at Aston Villa, one coming at Tottenham Hotspur, last season, and three coming at Manchester United. When you consider that it was their away frailties that severely let them down last season, it’s a major plus for all you City fans that your side is starting to show it’s forcefulness on the road, at long last!

 

City are the favourites, which is about right, but they could come across a few problems away at Wigan Athletic, a team still living in the glory of their 3-1 humbling of Chelsea at the latter end of last month.

 

  

 

Head-to-Head:

 

Wigan Athletic W: 5 Manchester City W: 1 Draws: 2

 

Since Wigan’s promotion to the top flight back in 2005, this has become a regular fixture for the two, and it’s Wigan who have enjoyed past meetings the most. The pair have clashed four times at the DW Stadium since 2005, with three of those going the way of the home side, Wigan. The Latics have also faired extremely well in front of the City goal, scoring eleven goals in four home encounters against City. Man City’s only success to date over Wigan came last season at The City of Manchester, beating Wigan 1-0. However, it was Wigan who maintained their impressive home form over City, winning 2-1 at the DW last term.

 

 

Over 2.5 Goals: 3 Under 2.5 Goals: 5

 

Don’t be deceived by the goal count here as games at the home of Wigan Athletic, the DW Stadium, has more times then not produced entertaining affairs. Three of the four encounters at Wigan have ended with plenty of goals, whereas matches in Manchester haven’t yet produced anything more than a solitary goal in each game. Overs looks a smart call here.

 

 

 

Key Player:- Chris Kirkland

 

This maybe a strange pick considering how dominant Wigan have been at home against Man City in past meetings but with City investing heavily on strikers over the summer, we expect City to change the tide and bombard the Wigan goal on Saturday with a tidal wave of goalscoring chances. Chris Kirkland has recently announced that he wants to be back in contention for the England goalkeeping shirt but he will need to put in some memorable displays before Fabio Capello will even consider his services. However, a shut-out against the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor & Carlos Tevez wouldn’t harm his chances.

 

 

 

Match Verdict: DRAW – 45/17 Expekt

 

We think the draw poses a bit of value here as Wigan have already shown that they can pull a performance out of the hat on their day. Their previous home encounter seen them end their 34 match run without a win over the ‘Big Four’ and that should stand them in good stead as a ‘Big Four’ contenders embraces the DW stadium. City will give them plenty of problems but we quite fancy Wigan to grind out a well earned point, much to the delight of the home fans, and to the disliking of the free-spending Man City.

 

 

 

Match Odds:

 

 

Wigan Athletic – 9/2 SkyBet

 

Manchester City – 8/11 Bet365

 

Draw – 45/17 Expekt

 

 

 

SoccerBetting Value Tip: 1-1 Correct Score – 13/2 SportingBet