English Premier League – Match Preview: Wigan Athletic versus Bolton Wanderers
Wigan Athletic host Bolton Wanderers for what will be their ninth league match of 2010-2011 season as both teams look to improve on their current rankings in the English Premier League table. Wigan Athletic presently occupy 15th
place as they have drawn three, lost three and won two of their eight matches thus far. Whereas, Bolton are 7th in the league standings as they have gained eleven points from eight matches so far. They also have a dire goal difference of negative nine as they
have conceded fifteen goals and scored just six.
Bolton have had an unexpectedly good start to the season as only last season, the Wanderers were fighting a relegation battle till February under their previous manager, Gary Megson. The club’s fortunes turned around as they replaced
Megson with Owen Coyle and Coyle’s expertise guided them to a safe finish in the 2009-2010 season. The ex-Burnley manager has improved the squad further in the summer transfer window of 2010 as he has signed the likes of Martin Petrov from Manchester City.
The City winger made the move in June after it was confirmed that he wouldn’t have a future at Eastlands after they signed David Silva from Valencia C.F
Bolton’s best result of the season came against Manchester United as the Red Devils drew two all against Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. In their last league match, Bolton bested Tony Pulis’s Stoke City side at their home stadium
and in doing so, they extended their unbeaten run in the league to four straight games. Bolton’s main reason for success this season has been the emergence of their Swedish striker, Johan Elmander. Elmander has really come into form for Bolton as the striker
has led the line for his club alongside Kevin Davies.
Both Davies and Elmander have been terrorizing defences in the English Premier League thus far and they have been complimented by a combination of Petrov and Muamba from the Bolton midfield. Conversely, Wigan Athletic drew their
last league match against Newcastle United by the score line of two goals each. Before that, Wigan won against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the DW Stadium by two goals to nil. Wigan’s start to the season included a six nil mauling at the hands of Chelsea F.C
but the Latics have recovered since then to build a success run of form, lately.
Wigan’s best player has been Charles N’Zogbia, a player who wanted to leave the club in the summer but was persuaded to stay by Roberto Martinez. Martinez has allowed Charles to play a free role in his side and the Frenchman has
flourished in his new position. In their last match against Newcastle, he scored both of their goals and also provided his team with a lift as he gave a talismanic performance. Bolton’s last win over Wigan Athletic came in the 2009-2010 season as they won
by four goals to nil on 13th of March, 2010. Wigan last won against the Wanderers in the 2007-2008 season when they defeated Bolton by one goal to nil at the DW Stadium.
Both teams are thought to be mid-table material in reality and thus Bolton’s inflationary form might actually deceive the pundits into believing that they are the favourites to win this encounter. Wigan have been on the rise ever
since their result against Wolves and thus, they can be expected to give Coyle’s men a good matchup on Saturday.
There are some fitness doubts for both the teams as they head into this match, Bolton are still waiting on a late scan which will determine the medical condition of their defender, Zat Knight whereas Wigan are sure to be without
their central defender, Gary Caldwell. Both the teams are certain to give the match their all as both of them are hungry of points at this stage of the season but Wigan might just edge it in the end by an odd goal or two.
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