Blackpool - Stoke

This is do or die game for the Seasiders (as the previous two were though). Only goal difference is keeping them above the line and beside Stoke, they’ll host Bolton and visit Spurs and Man Utd. A failure today would probably send them to Championship. They have far worst defence in Premier that in average concedes more than 2 goals per a game. At some moments they don’t even look serious, although showed some improvement against the Toon. Both sides have scored in every of previous 17 games at Bloomfield Road.

Stoke are safe and only area of interest is FA Cup and the final next Sunday. They don’t need points, but I doubt they’d like to damage team morale by losing from the side that is winless in last seven games and has one win of last 14. Besides that, Stoke haven’t lost there since 1964 (10 games). They will miss Etherington who is very important player for the team, but some other guys are in a top shape. Kenwyne Jones, Walters and Pennant should be running the riot. Also, I’m not sure Blackpool will be able to defend the set pieces.

Personally I’ll be cheering for Blackpool. Side that plays 4-3-3 in Premier League regardless the name of opponent should stay, at least for the sake of the game. They will be fighting and attacking, but poor defending will probably send them down to Championship. Goals for me.

Bet: Over 2.75
Odd: 2.00 Pinnacle
Stake: 7/10
.
Support the blog and open a betting account using the banners from the left. You'll get some free bets as well.
Make e-mail subscription and get my picks directly in the mail box.
p

Stoke 2-0 Wigan

Goals from Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie gave Stoke a comfortable win which saw them move above Wigan and into 11th in the Premier League table.
The match only sprang into life in the 69th minute when Fuller's persistence saw him evade three defenders and fire past Latics goalkeeper Richard Kingson. 
Beattie sealed victory soon after when he headed in Matt Etherington's cross. 
Wigan, without a win in seven games, struggled to respond and Fuller almost headed home a third goal late on. 
The home side's solid performance underlined the progress they have made in their first year in the Premier League.
With the Potters' safety already guaranteed, their 10th league win of the season at the Britannia Stadium means they approach their final game of the campaign Arsenal next week with a chance of securing a top-half finish. 
Wigan will end the season with much less optimism, and the inability to score that is the root of their problems was again apparent here.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis:

"We are absolutely delighted to have won here for the supporters, who have been fantastic.

Stoke: Sorensen, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Cort (Pugh 46), Wilkinson, Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Etherington (Diao 76), Beattie (Cresswell 86), Fuller.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Olofinjana, Kelly, Tonge.

Goals: Fuller 69, Beattie 76. 

Wigan: Kingson, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa (Edman 81), Scharner, Cho (Watson 58), Brown (Mido 73), Cattermole, N'Zogbia, Rodallega. 
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Koumas, De Ridder, McManaman. 

Att: 25,641 
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
www.bbc.co.uk