Blackpool vs. Wigan Athletic: Barclays Premier League Match Preview
Wigan Athletic would make their long awaited trip to Bloomfield Road on Saturday, where they will take on Blackpool in an English Premier League fixture. Roberto Martinez’s men would be itching to get the match underway in order to avenge their heartbreaking 4-0 home defeat from August last year.
With both the teams fighting for survival in the premier league, it would be nervous 90 minutes for both set of fans. The Seasiders are placed 17th in the premier league table while Wigan Athletic standings are rock bottom of the league.
Points have been hard to come by for both the teams; Ian Holloway’s Blackpool have not won a single match in their last five Premier League fixtures, Whereas Wigan Athletic have managed a solitary victory in their last five outings.
Statistics for both the teams are gloomy. Wigan have registered a solitary victory in their last 14 away fixtures. Blackpool, on the other hand, have fared little better; they have been declared triumphant only once in their last 12 Premier League encounters. Worst still, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 15 Premier League games.
Some of the big names from Blackpool who would sit on the sidelines due to injury concerns are Campbell, Carney, Grandin, Basham, Gilks and Clarke.
Blackpool, the experts of scoring from ‘Outside the Box’ and ‘Corners’
Blackpool’s strength is their ability to surprise the opponents with thunder strikes from outside the box, and Corners. Blackpool have scored nine goals from Outside the box, the highest by any team in this season. Their exploits from set-pieces are also impressive as Holloway’s men have scored 11 goals from Corners this season.
Wigan Athletic do not boast the same set-piece technique. Roberto Martinez’s men have scored only twice through corners.
Last Meeting between two teams on 14th August 2010
The Seasiders were simply unstoppable that day; Blackpool were thrashed 4-0 in their very own backyard. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marlon-c24261 Harewood scored a stunning brace while Gary Taylor Fletcher and Alex Baptiste contributed with a goal apiece to seal the emphatic score line.
Key Players
Dudley Campbell
Blackpool would look for inspiration from Dudley Campbell. The 29-year-old striker has scored nine goals this season. The forward possess lightening speed, ample skill and excellent control of the ball, traits enough to create all sorts of problems for the Wigan backline.
Hugo Rodallega
Wigan Athletic would expect the Colombian striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Rodallega-c16414, to take them over the victory line. The 25-year-old has scored seven critical goals for his team this season. A few more would be a welcome addition.
Prediction
With both the teams battling to save their premier league status, the game is expected to be an enthralling affair with chances coming a plenty to both sides. Blackpool look the better side on paper and would grind out a 1-0 win.
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