Wigan vs Newcastle

26/12- A home draw against a struggling Derby county and that too after being put under a lot of pressure and being have to come from behind and save face would have rung alarming bells at Newcastle. The team would have felt that they lost out on two points as could only get a draw but Santa looks to be generous as just a day after Christmas they can make up for it against another struggling team, Wigan. Both teams have earned a point last week, while Wigan holding out a solitary goal draw in an away tie at Fulham, Newcastle were held at home by Derby. Wigan have looked a different side after the return of Emilie Heskey a few weeks ago but if we go by records from this season’s performance they have just managed one victory from their last 10 matches and a mere 2 draws but have ended on the losing side 7 times. Also a look at the clubs’ previous encounters, of the 5 matches played at Wigan the home team have won twice while Newcastle have managed to win one more time. Wigan have been mainly riding on the goals scored by Bent this season but for a majority of the season were missing on a few key players. However now they have a side that is fully fit and available for selection. Though lowly placed they have managed to keep close proximity to other teams and good performances now onwards would still give them a chance to remain in the top league. Newcastle on the other hand would be eager and hungry for points after messing up last week they would like to make up with a full 3 points. Martins and Viduka have been extremely good and a win here can help the club cement its place in the top half of the point table. Prediction: 1-2, Newcastle win

Fulham vs Wigan

22/12- This is a classic bottom of the table tie, while both clubs are fighting hard to avoid relegation. Fulham are a depleted side with most of their defensive and mid field options suffering from injuries. While Fulham enter this match with the last matches ending as losses, Wigan have managed a 5-3 triumph over Blackburn last week and that would be a great moral booster. If any of the team can manage to get an outright win here they will be in a position that they go to Christmas outside the relegation zone and that can be really helpful to the side’s chances of progressing further after Christmas.

 

Wigan have a full fledged side to select from and hence they can afford to have their best team play this match. The side appears to benefit a lot from the return of Heskey and the form of striker Bent is also an auspicious sign for the club. The team does have the spark to get them out of the position they are in and they can hope for better performances in the coming time. The thing that Wigan need to beware of is defensive lapses as they have often lost matches because of that and have recorded the second highest number of losses this season.

 

Fulham probably would expect to revive after Christmas as half of their defensive side looks injured and the same applies for the center field. As of this match, Fulham should be happy with a draw and if they win they should take it as a bonus. However as of the current time and form Wigan look set to win their first match away from home and would be expecting to enter into the Christmas break with a nice position on the points table as the first half of the season has not been that pleasing for them.

 

Prediction: 1-2, Wigan win

Wigan vs Blackburn

15/12- Two teams, this season, have been particularly apart from the competition and this unfortunately is in no positive sense. The teams are Derby and Wigan and they are probably sunning in for the top place at the bottom. Just three point above the last placed Derby, Wigan are in a desperate position in the relegation zone. The side has managed just 9 points of the 16 matches and this home tie against the Blackburn Rovers can be a turning point for them. The worst is however that this struggling side has lost 9 of their last 10 games which goes on to shoe their inability to defend as well as score. This in a way summarizes why the club has done miserably this season. And all this after being on top of the table after the first 3 or 4 weeks after this season’s matches commenced.

 

Blackburn on the other hand have had a decent show in the league so far and they have been consistently featuring in the top half of the table. Blackburn are 4 points clear of the 10^th placed team and just a point behind Villa and Everton and a win here can possibly slip them ahead but a few positions. The Rovers have been a mixed bag in the past few weeks as they have not been consistent enough. McCarthy looks in great touch and the striker has already netted 5 times this season. The visitors will also be confident after the return of David Bentley and Ryan Nelsen.

 

All said and done the encounter this Saturday seems to be a one sided affair until Wigan can bring some life into their game and the home support can get them going better. A victory here will be an apt Christmas gift for the fans as they have been otherwise disappointed all this season.

 

Prediction:0-1, Blackburn win

Bolton vs Wigan

9/12- A clash at the bottom of the table takes place as a struggling Bolton take on an even more struggling Wigan. Bolton have hit good form in the European circuit but back at home they are just a place above the relegation zone. Bolton had a huge embarrassing defeat against Liverpool in a away tie last week when the ended with a score line of 4-0 against them. But in contrast they won at Red Star Belgrade in their UEFA cup match the same way they humbled Manchester United at home. Wigan on the other hand have just a point of 8 away games this season, with no away wins to their credit and this one at Bolton looks to be no different. Their last week’s home draw against a strong Manchester City though was creditable it cannot take them anywhere on the points table.

 

Bolton have an experienced and seasoned striker in form of Anelka and this is something that can work in their favour and a win at home can catapult the home side towards the top half of the table and away from the relegation zone for the time being. Also this would be appropriate preparation for their away tie against Manchester City next week as Bolton have not registered any away victory in the 7 away games this season and have been able to collect just 2 points. El Hadji Douf is another Bolton player that will be electrifying on the field and a home crowd always helps as well.

 

The only positive for Wigan seems to be the return of Heskey, the instrumental striker who was away from the team for the past three months due to injury. A defeat here could further add to the wounds of this already struggling side but Wigan would be hoping for something better.

 

Prediction: 1-1

    

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