EPL Fixtures: Wigan v Liverpool Preview

After dropping to second place in the Premier League EPL result, Liverpool will hope for a victory in this tough match against Wigan Athletic.   Liverpool travels to Wigan searching for the three points that will equal them with EPL leader Manchester United. But Liverpool is likely to remain second on goal difference, unless the Merseysiders can demolish Wigan with a goal margin of at least eight.  With Wigan in top form in recent weeks and Liverpool stuttering somewhat, this match promises to be a close and very exciting one.  Wigan is currently sitting seventh in the league table.

Wigan Athletic lost 1-0 on their last EPL fixtures against Manchester City on away match.  This is a back to back 1-0 defeats following a run of six wins out of seven.  Wigan’s recent signing Ben Watson will miss out on the Liverpool clash as he is out with a calf injury. Antonio Valencia will also sit out to recover from a hamstring injury.   Also on the transfer news, Wigan agreed to sell star midfielder Wilson Palacios to Tottenham and have loaned out Marlon King to Middlesbrough, with Mido likely to arrive on loan as part of the deal.  Wigan is also on the verge of signing Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega from Mexican club Necaxa.  Finally, Wigan has also just agreed to sell striker Emile Heskey to Aston Villa.

At the Liverpool camp, there was a lot of media speculation regarding Robbie Keane walking out on Liverpool.   Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez did not field him for the last match with Everton.  Keane has tried to impress the manager with the intensity of his training on Monday.  Benitez has also tried to calm down the sentiments and urged Keane to work hard and become an important player for the club.

In their last EPL fixtures, Liverpool drew 1-1 at home against Everton, extending a run to eleven games undefeated since their last and only league defeat of the season so far (2-1 away against Tottenham).  They collected 21 points from the 33 after 5 wins and 6 draws from the 11 games.  Liverpool has scored 20 goals and conceded 6 since the last loss.

Wigan lost 1-0 in this corresponding EPL fixture last season and also lost 3-2 against Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season; however, the form of both teams has reversed since then. Liverpool has dropped points in various games that should have been relatively easy, while Wigan is one of the league’s most in-form teams recently.

This game will be very closely contested.  Liverpool is the favorite to emerge winner although Wigan’s overall balance of quality and high-spirit should produce an exciting and interesting game.

Our Prediction:  Wigan (1) v Liverpool (3)

Prediction for other EPL fixtures on Wednesday
Chelsea (2) v Middlesbrough (0)
Manchester City (1) v Newcastle United (1)
West Ham United (1) v Hull City (2)
Everton (0) v Arsenal (0)
Blackburn Rovers (3)  v Bolton Wanderers (1)