Wigan v Southampton: Saints to snatch priceless win
Published:Wigan enjoy nothing more than digging a cavernous relegation hole, jumping in and having it filled with dirt only to climb out when they all but doomed. A defeat to Southampton next up will signify their intent to take this regular escape act and incorporate the fire or rabid beast it’s been lacking to make it the most spectacular in Premier League history.
The Latics currently sit in 18th place in the table, though this is only on goal difference. They’re three points adrift of their next adversaries and, simply put, they can’t afford to lose this game. A price of 11/10 says Roberto Martinez’ men will achieve their desired result, though just two wins in 14 at the DW begs to differ.
Even those who weren’t privy to this particular nugget of information will have been tempted by the 5/2 on offer for a Southampton win while, for those leaning towards the draw at 23/10, be warned that Wigan have picked up just one point in their last five at home.
Despite sharing too many of the spoils of late, Southampton have been picking up some handy points here and there and they earned special praise from Sir Alex Ferguson for their midweek efforts at Old Trafford.
Should they replicate the same level of performance on their next visit to Lancashire then they’re well in with a shout and, unlike Wigan, they boast a natural goalscorer in their ranks who is capable of putting any team to the sword when presented the opportunity.
Rickie Lambert has helped himself to four goals in his last seven games. The Latics, for all the pretty football they play, are not renowned for their defensive acumen so Saints’ in-form frontman can expect a chance or two here. His 6/1 first goalscorer price seems very generous indeed, especially when you consider that 50 per cent of his previous four strikes have broken the deadlock.
Arguably the most tempting price of the lot though, has to be the any time Lambert strike in part with an away win at 4/1. He is a threat inside and outside the box, from set pieces and in the air and, having bagged in three of four his sides’ league wins thus far, is sure to be at the heart of any rewards Mauricio Pochettino’s men reap from this clash.
All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date
