Birmingham – Wigan

Birmingham made a decent start of the season with home win against Blackburn and staying undefeated vs. Liverpool as well as in two away games (Sunderland and Bolton). Then came a tragedy for them expressed in derby defeat against WBA 1-3. Team reacted positively and defeated MK Dons in a Cup game. Brum are very good at their St Andrew’s and if they don’t lose today it will be one year without a home defeat! They brought on loan Alexander Hleb from Barca and he should make a great impact on the right flank. Birmingham are in second, usually very dangerous, season in the top crew and avoiding relegation is main objective. To reach that, they must win the games like Wigan at home. James McFadden is injured.

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After just five rounds passed, Wigan already announced their candidacy for moving down to Championship. One very lucky victory (over Spurs on the road, 1-0), one draw (Sunderland at home, 1-1) and three defeats with shocking goal difference 2-13! Wigan have only won one of their last eight Premier games and before Spurs, they had noticed six consecutive defeats on the road. In the previous round, Man City took all 3 points from DW Stadium with Wigan had not a single attempt on a target. They look very bad and I think manager Roberto Martínez is close to face the exit door. Only light in the dark is N’Zogbia’s recent shape, but it cannot be enough to push the whole team. Captain defender, Gary Caldwell, is still sidelined as well as midfielder Cleverley. 

 

It’s a big difference in quality, here. Birmingham will play for the fans as it is first game after WBA and this should be their “best shot” (or very near to that). I’m aware the most of their wins are with a goal margin, but here expect something more.

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Bet: Birmingham -0.75
Odd: 2.12  188bet
Stake: 8/10

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Thursday's World Cup round-up

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk called a team meeting after reports in the Dutch media claimed Arsenal striker Robin van Persie said midfielder Wesley Sneijder should have been substituted instead of him in their last 16 win over Slovakia.
"I will never accept anything that could upset the next match," Van Marwijk told Dutch national broadcaster NOS.
"I spoke to Robin and he is supposed to have said something about Wesley.
"I've spoken to Wesley and after that I called the team together... told them what I think and then drew a line under it."

Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson is desperate for a chance to prove himself in the Premier League.
Kingson was released by Wigan in May after two years at the DW Stadium, where he made four first-team appearances. 
"I have to prove myself in the Premier League. It is an unfulfilled mission for me," said the 32-year-old. 
"I was waiting for my chance and it did not come. Now I am at the World Cup. I am playing, I am comfortable and I am happy. Everyone can see what I can do. 
"I would still like to stay in England because I know I could play every week in the Premier League." 

The newly-renovated Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was lit up by green and yellow lights to show support for the nation's football team ahead of their quarter-final clash with the Netherlands on Friday.
Legendary Brazil striker Pele has continued his war of words with Argentina coach Diego Maradona. 
Having previously said Maradona only took the Argentina job because he needed the money, Pele has criticised Maradona's lifestyle. 
"Maradona is not a good coach, because he had a bizarre lifestyle which cannot go down well with his team," three-time World Cup winner Pele told German magazine 11Freunde.

www.bbc.co.uk

Wigan Athletic - West Ham

After a fantastic start with an opening-day win against Aston Villa (2-0 away), Wigan made three defeats in a row. First Wolverhampton took all three points from DW Stadium, then Man.Utd. did the same in a big style (0-5) and in last round Latics were defeated at Goodison vs. Everton (1-2). All that is followed with embarrassing exit to Blackpool (1-4 away) in the League Cup and 2-12 goal difference in those four games! New manager Roberto Martinez starts to feel pressure. During the transfer market, team lost two best players, Valencia and Cattermole, while transfer deadline day was a frustrating affair. Ex-Swansea player Ferrie Bodde reportedly topped Wigan’s list, but no deal was brokered so Martinez must hope he’ll be able to stabilize his floundering team with existing players. Despite the result, team showed some progress against Everton, but they simply need some time to gel up and their results should be better as the time pass. Jason Koumas has shaken off his muscle problem and Martinez has no fresh injury doubts after the international break. Excellent French, Olivier Kapo, is also back in training after ligament damage he suffered in pre-season, but is not yet match-fit. Wigan have lost nine of their last 12 league games.

Zola's second season in charge of West Ham has begun with a win, draw and defeat. Starting win against Wolverhampton (2-0 away), goalless draw in last round at Ewood vs. Blackburn and home defeat vs. Tottenham. And maybe, they put the best display against Spurs, showing potential for a top half of the table. With two lucky shots (including Cole’s disaster mistake), visitors scored twice and turned the result in their favor. The biggest concern for Zola was scoring enough goals, with mentioned Carlton Cole shouldering much of the workload. It should be solved with a new signing, Alessandro Diamanti from Italian side Livorno. He made a debut for reserve team, scoring two times from free kicks (6-0 win over Birmingham), which should be enough to find himself in starting eleven. Second club’s acquisition is defender Manuel da Costa, from Fiorentina and he also could make his debut. Midfielder Valon Behrami is back in training after long time knee injury, but won’t be ready for all 90 minutes and will probably start the game from the bench. Defender Herita Ilunga (cheekbone) remains an absentee. West Ham did the double over Wigan last season and have a good record at the DW Stadium, winning four of the five Premier League matches. 

My opinion is hosts are not (even the slight) favorites here and they need some time before start collecting the points and maybe make a run in the middle of the table. On the other hand, visitors have talented and very well balanced team that already have started to notice good results. I think they’re closer to victory, but cover a possibility of draw with Asian handicap (DNB). Odd (arround 2.35) is high and definitely worth of bet. 

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