Premier League preview: Wigan v Hull
Had Hull City’s interim manager, Iain Dowie, made a greater impact at the KC Stadium during his brief tenure in charge of the Tigers, this afternoon’s match against Wigan Athletic would have had an entirely different feel.
But as it stands, Hull are already effectively relegated, poised to spend next season back inside the npower Championship. With West Ham’s goal difference far superior than theirs, the Tigers know that only a mathematical miracle will keep their submerged heads above water before the end of next weekend.
However, Dowie will want his side to salvage some pride this afternoon at the DW Stadium after a quite dismal second season inside the top-flight. Also, if the former Crystal Palace manager harbours any hopes of keeping the job on a full-time basis, he will need to start demonstrating his credentials – quickly.
Without a single win on the road this season, though, it’ll be more than a tough ask for the doomed Tigers to come away from the north-west with all three points in the bag. Roberto Martínez’s side have a decent home record this season, beating the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and most recently, Arsenal. A stat which makes Hull’s task seem all the more daunting.
Following that dramatic 3-2 victory over the Gunners in their last home game, Wigan will be hoping that more people turn out for this Bank Holiday Monday fixture than when the two sides met back in January.
On that cold, winter night, a pitiful 5,335 fans passed through the DW Stadium’s turnstiles to watch the Latics cruise into the FA Cup fourth round after hammering four goals past Hull. So much for the magic of the FA Cup, eh?
Wigan are still in contention for a 14th-place finish, and if they achieve this, it would bring an end to a relatively satisfactory campaign. Of course, they could yet have a decisive role in this year’s title race, too. Martínez’s men must travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon knowing that another shock victory over the Blues could well hand the title to Manchester United, instead.
However, Wigan will need to focus on the job in hand today. The difference between a 17th-place finish and a 14th-place finish was £2.3million last season, and the prize money should be roughly the same this time around.
Wigan’s financial situation looks positively glowing compared to their opponent’s, though. Hull are deep in financial trouble, with rumours that administration is imminent for the club now gathering momentum. The Tigers have reportedly built up debts of £35million and will inevitably need an overhaul of the squad this summer to cut costs.
As a result, the Hull players will be fully aware that they are playing for their futures. Sunday’s match against Liverpool could be a farewell for several of the club’s star names – as well as those who have failed to pull their weight this season.
If they are to win this afternoon, they will have to do so without the services of their USA international striker, Jozy Altidore, whose loan spell is now over after he picked up a three-match ban for a foolish altercation with Sunderland full-back Alan Hutton.
Meanwhile, the Latics may be without their Bolivian striker, Marcelo Moreno, after he sustained a calf injury in the club’s last match against West Ham. Midfielder Hendry Thomas will also miss this afternoon’s penultimate league fixture because of a persistent thigh injury.
For both sides, today’s clash is more about salvaging pride rather than points. But given Hull’s miserable record away from home, this afternoon’s match - just like their short-term future – to put it mildly, appears bleak.
Prediction: Wigan Athletic 3 Hull City 1
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