da betobet： West Brom will be hoping to solidify their mid-table position going into the festive period with a win over rock bottom Wigan at The Hawthorns.
da bet7： Albion’s recent form has seen them slide towards the relegation zone although their point away at QPR gave themselves a five-point buffer ahead of their Christmas fixtures. Roy Hodgson’s side have been unable to replicate their form from last season that saw them finish just outside the top half in an impressive first season back in the Premier League. Their home form has been the biggest negative of their campaign thus far with the Hawthorns faithful seeing their players conjure up just two victories on home soil. Scoring goals on their own patch has also been a problem with just six hitting the net with that contributing to the four defeats suffered at home. The Baggies festive schedule isn’t the most demanding with games against Blackburn and Everton providing opportunities to take maximum points and move further up the table ahead of the New Year. Hodgson needs to get his side scoring more regularly though with Shane Long the only consistent goal scorer in the team. Peter Odemwingie’s goals have dried up whilst Chris Brunt and James Morison aren’t scoring enough from midfield. They’ll see a huge chance to rectify that against lowly Wigan on Saturday.
The Latics were thumped at the DW Stadium last week by Arsenal sending them hurtling back to the foot of the table. Roberto Martinez thought his side had turned a corner following their late win against Sunderland the previous Saturday but fell back into a familiar cycle against the Gunners. The ease in which they let the North London side cut them apart was painful to watch and Martinez will be expecting his defence to tighten up when they make the trip to the Midlands to face the Baggies. Scoring goals away from home has been a major problem with Wigan hitting the net only four times in seven games away from the DW. Despite possessing players like Victor Moses, Hugo Rodallega, Franco Di Santo and Jordi Gomez in attack they continue to struggle in front of goal. The Latics know they need to start picking up points on the road during Christmas if they are to build some confidence and drag themselves off the bottom of the table.
West Brom – 14th
Last Five: Drew 1-1 v QPR (A), Lost 3-1 v Tottenham (H), Won 2-0 v Bolton (H), Lost 3-0 v Arsenal (A), Lost 2-0 v Liverpool (H)
Potential Starting X11: 1. B. Foster 12. S. Reid 3. J. Olsson 33. P. Scharner 20. N. Shorey 14. J. Thomas 21. Y. Mulumbu 7. J. Morrison 11. C. Brunt[C] 14. P. Odemwingie 9. S. Long*
Injury News: Zoltan Gera is the only player in the Hawthorns treatment room with the Hungarian playmaker out for the season.
Key Player: Shane Long
Once again Long repaid a large chunk of his £7.5 million price tag by popping up to rescue a vital point in the 1-1 draw with QPR last week. The Republic of Ireland striker has taken over the scoring mantle from Odemwingie with aplomb and gives the Baggies an extra touch of pace and purpose up front. His intelligent use of the last man to spin away and chase through balls has given the midfield something to hit over the top and his intelligent movement will surely unsettle a fragile Wigan back four on Saturday.
Match Fact: West Brom have won four of the seven meetings between the two sides at the Hawthorns losing just once against Wigan in the Premier League
Wigan – 20th
Last Five: Lost 4-0 v Arsenal, Won 2-1 v Sunderland (A), Drew 3-3 v Blackburn (H), Lost 3-1 v Wolves (A), Lost 2-0 v Fulham (H)
Potential Starting X11: 26. A. Al Habsi 23. R. Stam 4. G. Caldwell [C] 17. E. Boyce 3. M. Figueroa 8. B. Watson 21. M. Diame 4. J. McCarthy 16. J. McArthur* 11.V. Moses 18. C. Sammon
Injury News: Martinez has no fresh concerns going into the West Brom game with Chris Kirkland the only player currently out injured.
Key Player: James McArthur
Since coming back into the side McArthur has displayed just how pivotal he is to the way Wigan operate. His ability on the ball, driving runs and wide range of passing give the Latic’s some creativity in midfield. His hard work off the ball is also vital with his tracking back to aid the defence in regaining possession exhibiting that he is willing to dig in and do the work others would normally shy away from. That sort of determination will be key against West Brom on Saturday as Martinez’s side look to haul themselves away from trouble.
Match Fact: Wigan have won just once at the Hawthorns in seven Premier League visits with that victory coming in their debut season back in 2005/06
Last Time at The Hawthorns
Premier League 1 February 2011
West Brom 2-2 Wigan
Odemwingie (5) Fortune (79)
N’Zogbia (20) Watson (43)
Attendance: 25,385
Referee: Phil Dowd
PREDICTION
West Brom have stopped and started this season but will be buoyed following their 1-1 draw with QPR last week. They know a win will lift them further away from danger and come up against a Wigan side who are rock bottom once again. The Latics were brought back down to earth following their win at Sunderland with Arsenal thumping four past them at the DW. Winning at the Hawthorns will be another tough test as they start a hectic festive campaign.
Score: 2-0
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