Stoke City v Wigan Athletic Premier League preview

These two bottom half sides have each won just 1 of their last 5 games, but Sky Sports have gone with them for the early game and TV coverage this Saturday.

Stoke City

Thomas Sorensen saved a Cesc Fabregas penalty, but couldn’t keep Andrey Arshavin and Aaron Ramsey off the scoresheet as Stoke were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates last weekend. It’s back-to-back scoreless games for Stoke now, and more importantly they’ve dropped points in the last 6 weeks against sides they should be beating if they’re to place in the top half this season. They did beat Portsmouth, 1-0 in their last home game and will be hoping to match the result this weekend as they look to move back into the top half after dropping to 11th last weekend. They won this fixture 2-0 last season with Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie scoring the goals. Fuller has put in some good performances this season and produced an excellent goal to see off Portsmouth last month. Beattie however is far from his best, and his brace against West Ham earlier this season are his only goals in 14 Premier League games this season. He will be hoping manager Tony Pulis has forgiven him for their post-match row last weekend and not drop him from the starting lineup. Ryan Shawcross missed last weekend’s defeat at Arsenal and is a doubt for this game. Despite rumours of a move to a bigger team dying down in recent months, he has still been solid at the back for Stoke. If he doesn’t return for this one, Abdoulaye Faye and Robert Huth are likely to be the central defence pairing. Strong and solid in the air, but the quick feet of Hugo Rodallega may cause them problems in this one.

Form
DLWDL

Injuries/Suspensions
Amdy Faye

Wigan Athletic

Involved in a very surprised high-scoring game last weekend, Wigan’s home defeat to Birmingham leaves them just 4 points outside of the relegation zone coming into this weekend’s games. Their inconsistency really becomes an issue down this end of the table. Mistakes get more exposure down here, and Roberto Martinez couldn’t have been pleased about Sebastian Larsson’s free kick on the hour that cleared all of the defence and flew into the net for the equaliser. 2 more goals followed shortly after as Wigan came away without a single point at home to one of last season’s promoted sides. Wigan may have their hopes raised in this game with Stoke’s lack of productivity up front of late, but with their defensive record of late it may just build Stoke’s self-belief. Wigan didn’t score a goal in either game against Stoke this season, but with a change in manager and tactics since then they have a chance this weekend, especially if Ryan Shawcross remains absent. From their own point of view, they are hopeful Chris Kirkland will return in goal after playing less than quarter of an hour last weekend before being forced off with a back spasm.

Form
LDLWL

Injuries/Suspensions
n/a

The early kickoff time can have a negative effect on the number of goals, but if Stoke have things their way in this game the scoresheet is bound to be low. They have a solid defence to hold Wigan out, and must fancy their chances going forward with Wigan’s defending recently. Both teams are on poor form and Wigan are unpredictable makes this a match to avoid betting on, as much as I favour Stoke in this one.

Stoke to win 11/10

Draw 12/5

Wigan to win 11/4