Bradford defensive issues mean Wigan to run amok in Capital One Cup

Some punters may have already been anticipating a comprehensive Wigan victory over a full-strength Bradford, but with the visitors depleted in defence, there is even more of a reason to expect Roberto Martinez’ men to run up a cricket score.

Wigan are 11/5 to overcome a two-goal handicap to reach the Capital One Cup quarter finals and they have already achieved this feat in previous rounds when dumping out tougher opposition in Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

Meanwhile, both of these successes came away from the DW Stadium and back on their home turf, this should only boost their chances of an emphatic success, even if support will be minimal.

As if a defeat at League Two play-off rivals Burton was not enough over the weekend, Bradford also saw captain Ricky Ravenhill sent off, while both of their first-choice central defenders failed to finish the game because of injury.

Ravenhill now serves the first of a three-game ban here and the club’s loss percentage has been higher across the last 18 months when he has been out of the side.

Meanwhile, central defender Luke Oliver is expected to be absent for approximately six weeks and Andrew Davies is also a doubt, having been playing through the pain barrier for the last few games.

This means a patched up defensive duo of Rory McArdle and Carl McHugh who have very little experience of playing together are likely to start, which is far from ideal with 59 places separating them from their Premier League opposition.

Punters preferring to play it safe can get 1/3 on a Wigan triumph and Martinez seems to be taking the competition seriously based on his team selections in the early rounds, especially in defence.

Those happy to take a bigger risk can profit from 16/1 on a 4-1 Wigan victory, which was the correct score in their wins over Forest and West Ham, while it is 11/2 that the Latics successfully overcome a three-goal handicap.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.