Wigan Athletic v Manchester United – English Premier League preview
As Wigan Athletic look to resume their fight against relegation in the English Premier League against Manchester United on Saturday, 26th of February 2011, let’s take a look at how both teams might line up for their crucial encounter at DW stadium.
Wigan Athletic
Currently 18th in the English Premier League table, Wigan Athletic are right in the thick of a season defining relegation battle at the moment. Roberto Martinez’s men have blown hot and cold in the 2010-2011 Premier League season and as they prepare
to host Manchester United, the Latics will be wary of another home defeat.
Wigan lost their last fixture in the FA Cup against Bolton Wanderers but before that the Latics secured a vital draw against Liverpool at Anfield stadium in the English Premier League.
However, their biggest problem thus far has been their home form as they have conceded 26 goals in 14 matches at DW Stadium up till now. Not only that, Roberto Martinez’s team have only won 3 times on their home turf in the Premier League season thus far
so they have definitely got their work cut out for the encounter against Manchester United.
Manchester United
Grimacing from the pain caused by their mid-week draw against Marseille in the UEFA Champions League, Manchester United must now navigate through a tricky tie against Wigan Athletic.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have been woeful on their travels in the English Premier League as they have only won three matches away from their home ground i.e. Old Trafford. Wigan can take hope from the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson’s team is also plagued with
several injuries.
Out of their last five competitive fixtures, Manchester United, have won three, lost one and drawn one. The Red Devils won their last league encounter against Manchester City by two goals to one. Additionally, the tie against Wigan marks a start of a tough
sequence of matches for United as they are scheduled to face http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809, and, Arsenal over the next two weeks.
Presently at the top of the English Premier League table, a win against Wigan will not only further the confidence inside Manchester United’s ranks but also cement their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Team news
Surprisingly enough, Wigan Athletic have a fully fit squad for their encounter with Manchester United. Roberto http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Martinez-c24468 is expected to field an attacking line-up with a 4-4-2 setup to exploit Manchester United’s injury ridden defence.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/James-McCarthy-c17702 is anticipated to start in a defensive midfield role whereas Hugo Rodallega and Charles N’Zogbia are also favourites to start the match.
Expected Wigan Athletic line-up: Al Habsi; Boyce, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Rodallega-c16414.
Manchester United will be without the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Owen-Hargreaves-c28918 for their encounter against Wigan at the DW Stadium.
The Red Devils are expected to start with a two pronged offensive formation with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-Scholes-c29394 is a favourite to start after featuring as a substitute in United’s mid-week draw against Marseille.
Expected Manchester United line-up: Edwin Van Der Sar, Rafael, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitar-Berbatov-c11254
Key players
Wigan Athletic will be looking to Charles N’Zogbia to work some of his magic to unlock Manchester United’s miserly defence.
N’Zogbia almost left Wigan in the summer transfer window of 2010 but since then he has cemented himself as a regular starter following his stellar performances in the initial part of the English Premier League season last year.
After his superb bicycle kick against Manchester City, Wayne Rooney, will be under the spotlight as far as Manchester United are concerned. As a player, who scores in bursts, the former Everton youngster is expected to feature prominently on the score sheet
for the Red Devils.
Prediction
Manchester United haven’t been lighting up the Premier League as far as their away matches are concerned but Wigan’s woeful form this season means that the Red Devils are favourites to win this encounter.
Prediction: 2-0 to Manchester United.
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