Everton go into today’s game on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run that has seen them burst into the top 10 and revive aspirations of finishing in a European place. However, standing in their way is a Wigan side that is hosting its first home league game of 2010 and has lost only once at the DW Stadium since August. Will the Latics thwart the Toffees recent resurgence or will Martinez’s men be dragged further into the relegation dogfight?
The Toffees needed a late Leighton Baines penalty to take all three points from Wigan at Goodison Park back in August but their record against their north west rivals is pretty decent. In 10 previous meetings, Everton have come out on top on six occasions with Wigan only winning two. Unfortunately for Everton, Wigan’s last triumph over them was just last season at the DW Stadium thanks to Henri Camara so they will be confident of making it two in a row.
David Moyes has worked wonders at Goodison Park and deserves great credit for what he has achieved, given his dreadful luck with injuries to key players. However, he must improve on his awful away record which has seen the Blues pick up maximum points just twice this season. Victory here could see them close the gap on Birmingham – who play Spurs today – to one point.
Wigan were pulled closer to the drop zone in midweek following their defeat to Blackburn and just two points now separate them and the bottom three. Their poor goal difference will also not do them any favours in the race to beat the drop. If results go against them this afternoon they could find themselves in the bottom three.
Wigan Athletic v Everton; Kick Off 3pm 30 Jan 2010
Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 0
Chris Cox : 0 – 1
Graham Enwright : 1 - 2
Sue Gardener : 1 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 0 - 3
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 2
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : TBC
Dave Nash : 1 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 1 - 2
Peter Rendle : 0 - 1
Dan Taylor : TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 2
Isaac Williams : TBC
Mark Williams : TBC
Panel Verdict
The Panel believes the Toffees will get something out of this game.
Home: 0; Draw: 5; Away: 8; TBC: 7.
* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!
