WBA - Wigan

Six pointer. Still 15 rounds left, but who lose tonight will pave the road to Championship. The Baggies have a single win and six defeats in last seven league games (one and seven including Cup). They brought Carlos Vela from Arsenal (I’m not really sure how they can pay his wages) and improve the front line. But, real problem is defence. WBA have the worst defensive record in Premier (43 goals conceded), they haven’t kept a clean sheet in last 21 occasions and have conceded two or more in last seven!

The Latics won only once of their last eleven league games (with five draws and five defeats). Martinez will be without defender Alcaraz and Man Utd’s midfielder Cleverley. But, key players were rested in Cup and Al Habsi, Rodallega and N'Zogbia will start the game. Wigan usually play defensive football and they’re worst scorers in league (20 goals in 19 games), but I don’t think they’ll just sit back tonight. WBA’s defence is terrible and I think Martinez fancies their chances to score. Also, not sure they would accept only a point.

WBA and Wigan have never produced a goalless draw (15 games) and I don’t think they’ll be playing “not to lose game”. Both sides would hardly find a better opportunity for three points and I will go for goals here.

Bet: Over 2.5
Odd: 1.88 bet365
Stake: 7/10

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Wigan - Stoke

Not too much time for analyze here, as the odds are in a serious drop.

Btw. previous bet was a draw.

Wigan –Stoke City

Two opposite trends here and serious difference in quality. Wigan (although undefeated in last four at home) have been producing poor performances that resulted with three consecutive defeats. They’re also clashed with injuries. Beside they’re lowest scorers in Premier (total of 11 goals), they’ll be without Rodallega and Moses with Di Franco rated 50-50.

Stoke are undefeated in last four games (three wins), where their draw against Man City was especially impressing. They invested lot during the summer, ambitions are high and I expect more from them.

I give a significant advantage to Stoke, but no way I can exclude a possibility of a draw. So, dnb option for me.

Bet: Stoke 0.0
Odd: 1.81 Tipico
Stake: 9/10

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Tuesday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Wigan are unlikely to make goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic's loan move from Sporting Lisbon permanent at the end of the season.(imscouting.com) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal are on the trail of £10m-rated Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega with Latics boss Roberto Martinez already lining up Espanyol forward Jose Callejon as a replacement.(The Sun) 
Juventus are lining up a £12m bid for Tottenham's Wales international full-back Gareth Bale in the summer.(caughtoffside.com) 
AC Milan are set to beat Manchester United to the signing of France international forward Karim Benzema by offering Real Madrid a swap deal involving Brazilian striker Pato.(imscouting.com)
Midfielder Boudewijn Zenden is not sure that he has done enough to earn a new Sunderland contract, despite his spectacular volleyed goal against Tottenham on Saturday.(Daily Star) 
Roberto Mancini is in negotiations with his former club Inter Milan to bring striker Mario Balotelli, who has fallen out with Jose Mourinho, to Manchester City.(caughtoffside.com) 
Martin O'Neill is planning to offer Tottenham £11m for striker Robbie Keane, who is currently on loan at the Aston Villa manager's former club Celtic.(caughtoffside.com) 
Arsenal are monitoring Paris St Germain midfielder Clement Chantome after the 22-year-old voiced his dissatisfaction with life at the Ligue 1 side.(Daily Mirror) 
Major League Soccer chiefs are hoping to tempt a raft of French stars to bring their careers to a lucrative end in the United States' domestic league. Barcelona forward Thierry Henry, Villareal midfielder Robert Pires and Manchester City anchorman Patrick Vieira will all be approached.(imscouting.com) 
Celtic are on the trail of Southampton's £2m-rated England Under-21 midfielder Adam Lallana.(The Sun)
Sunderland's on-loan Tottenham right-back, Alan Hutton, is being chased by Newcastle, who clinched promotion to England's top flight on Monday. (Daily Express) 
Former Rangers player John Brown has urged defender Danny Wilson to resist a move to Liverpool or Tottenham to stay at Ibrox. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti says that midfielder Joe Cole will "definitely" sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge.(The Sun) 
Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan left out Gary O'Neil for Monday's night match against Plymouth with the midfielder one match away from triggering a £1m payment to former club Portsmouth.(Daily Star) 
Fabio Capello has been reassured that Manchester United will not play Wayne Rooney against Bayern Munich if there is any risk to his long-term fitness.(Daily Mail) 
Manager Arsene Wenger will include Sol Campbell in the heart of his Arsenal defence for their Champions League second-leg quarter-final match against Barcelona.(The Sun) 
Bayern Munich are set to welcome back winger Arjen Robben and defender Daniel van Buyten from injury for Wednesday's trip to Old Trafford.(The Sun) 
Liverpool are the underdogs in the race for fourth place in the Premier League and Champions League qualification, according to captain Steven Gerrard.(The Guardian) 
Vejle Boldklub left-back Euan Holden says he would consider a call to the Scotland squad despite older brother Stuart, of Bolton, having chosen to play for the USA. (Various)

AND FINALLY

Gianfranco Zola has invoked Bill Shankly's famous line about football being "more important than life or death" as he tries to inspire West Ham for their fight against the drop.(Daily Mail) 
Iran's girls' football team have been ejected from the Youth Olympic Games because Fifa rules prevent players wearing Islamic headscarves.(Herald Sun)
www.bbc.co.uk

Bloody Saturday

Wigan 1 - 0 West Ham

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Hugo Rodallega earned Wigan their first League win since the opening day of the season in a scrappy game with West Ham.
Apart from Chris Kirkland struggling to deal with back passes and Robert Green saving two long-range shots, neither keeper was busy in a tepid first half. 
Rodallega poked home from close range on 55 minutes after Green had blocked Jason Koumas's shot. 
West Ham substitute Alessandro Diamanti livened things up and hit the post but Wigan deserved the win.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez:
"The way the players adapted to what was needed was exceptional, we had to stop West Ham playing their football which was a big test, so a clean sheet and three points is what we deserved."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:
"In the first half I thought we controlled the game well and we looked better than them. 
"The goal was sloppy, we didn't start the second half in the same frame of mind that we did the first - that's something we need to work on."

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QPR 1 - 1 Peterborough

Peterborough are still waiting for their first win of the new season after Wayne Routledge's equaliser cancelled out Aaron Mclean's opener.
Mclean headed in Tommy Williams's cross and only Ben Watson's challenge stopped Lee Frecklington making it 2-0. 
Adel Taarabt and Jay Simpson set up Routledge to tap in before the break. 
Simpson wasted a great chance to win it on 85 minutes and in injury time only an offside flag denied Peterborough's Craig Mackail-Smith a winner.
QPR boss Jim Magilton:
"Any successful campaign is built around your home form. 
"Our play at times is good but that's not enough, especially at home where expectation levels rise. 
"You've got to be able to handle that and maybe some can't." 
Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson:
"I thought we deserved three points. 
"You always need a bit of luck and we are just not getting it at the moment. 
"But there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves. As long as we keep putting in performances like that then we will get the wins."
www.bbc.co.uk