Wigan vs Manchester City: Leaders to shrug off recent away struggles

Wigan have already taken points off of Chelsea and Liverpool at the DW Stadium, and to climb off the bottom of the table, they will need to perform further heroics against faltering Premier League leaders Manchester City…

Match odds

After a spectacular start to a season, Manchester City are now encountering the inevitable sticky patch that follows, winning just one of their last five in all competitions and none of their last four Premier League away games.

The consequence is that they make the short trip to Wigan on Monday night with Manchester United back level on points with them and Tottenham only two more back, the pressure mounting ahead of a fixture that they are 4/11 to win.

Most of their recent setbacks have come against positional rivals, with the exception of a resurgent Sunderland and well-organised West Brom. Their five prior meetings with bottom-five clubs have produced five victories and 16 goals.

The DW Stadium hasn’t always proven a delight to visit but they have triumphed in their last four clashes, so with Wigan winless at home since August, an upset is unlikely. If you suspect otherwise, the hosts are 8/1, with the draw 7/2.

Other markets

Shortcomings at both ends have prompted Manchester City’s slump, however the defensive problems are less severe, conceding from open play in only two of their last seven matches.

They have kept four successive clean sheets against Wigan, who have scored two in seven collisions with top-seven sides this season, so have to be fancied for another at 11/10, while the win to nil is 5/4.

Roberto Mancini’s men have been far from prolific of late though, scoring three or more in just three of their last 13 games compared to eight of the previous nine.

The same has been true of two of their last three showdowns with the Latics, so under 2.5 goals at 5/4 and 1-0 (8/1) and 2-0 (7/1) in the correct score market appeal.