Wigan Athletic v Bolton Wanderers Premier League preview

An opportunity for both sides to move away from the relegation zone on Monday night as this weekend’s fixtures end at the DW Stadium.

Wigan Athletic

With 1 win in their last 7, Wigan are sliding down the league where they come into the weekend 2 points above the relegation zone. With Wolves hosting Burnley on Sunday, neither team will want to lose here as we head to the mid point of the season. Maynor Figueroa scored one of the best goals of the season last week but they could only get a point at Stoke after Hugo Rodallega had his weak penalty saved by Thomas Sorensen saved in stoppage time. They lost at home to Birmingham the weak before and were beaten by a poor Liverpool side on Wednesday. Defensively they didn’t pick up David N’Gog when Liverpool opened the score and cannot afford to do the same in this game with both Kevin Davies and Ivan Klasnic dangerous in the area. Going forward they look dependent on Hugo Rodallega and Charles N’Zogbia and that needs to improve. Despite being a defender, Paul Scharner is good going forward and when he gets mentioned as one of their best attacking options they have issues! Emmerson Boyce is proving to be a good attacking option from set pieces. This game may come down to set pieces.

Form
LWLDL

Injuries/Suspensions
n/a

Bolton Wanderers

A first win in 7 games came at the expense of West Ham midweek as Bolton moved out of the relegation zone. Defeat at Wolves two weeks ago spelled doom for Gary Megson’s side before a respectable draw at Manchester City which saw Ivan Klasnic help himself to a brace. The Croatian also gave Bolton a lead for the second time on Tuesday from which they didn’t look back. Gary Cahill scored in those two matches also, the first a sweet striker from outside the area and the second from a corner. Bolton’s midfield cannot allow Hendry Thomas to get the better of them. His tough-tackling style may put fear into some of these Bolton midfielders and if he can set the tempo Wigan are in for success. Kevin Davies will give him an entertaining battle for the neutral though. Matt Taylor has been quiet in recent weeks and if Bolton want to remain unbeaten he has the ability to create or score goals to aid this.

Form
LDLDW

Injuries/Suspensions
Fabrice Muamba (suspended)
Gavin McCann
Sean Davis
Joey O’Brien

Wigan’s inconsistency makes this a difficult one to predict. Both teams have looked very poor for the majority of their games this season and if one of these teams can make this one of those rare good performances they can take 3 points home with them. Bolton are in better form of the two but teams at the bottom rarely keep that going for long.

Wigan to win 23/20

Draw 12/5

Bolton to win 14/5