Wigan Athletic v Sunderland: Can O'Neill record another first for the Black Cats?
If Blackburn Rovers' 3-2 win at Old Trafford on New Year's Eve was the shock result of 2011 then Sunderland's 1-0 win over Manchester City is definitely the biggest upset of 2012 so far. Martin O'Neill has had an amazing impact on the Black Cats and the future looks so good for the Wearsiders but can he continue his good work by seeing off Wigan tonight?
The Latics ended the year on a high with a point at the Britannia Stadium but Martin O'Neill wants to achieve something no other Sunderland boss has managed so far . . . beat Wigan at the DW Stadium. The Black Cats have taken just two points from Wigan in the Premier League and their one, and only win, there came in the Championship in 2005 thanks to an early Marcus Stewart strike.
However, Sunderland will be bouncing following their victory over the Premier League leaders.
Wigan have picked up in recent weeks with a win over West Brom and securing draws against Chelsea, Liverpool and Stoke, but they still sit in the bottom three and haven't won in front of their own fans since putting two past QPR in August.
Six of the last seven meetings have been close affairs - Sunderland's 4-2 win last season being the exception - and I don't see this one being any different. Both teams are on a high and seeking points, but who will be celebrating come the final whistle? The panel believes the honours could be shared.
Wigan Athletic v Sunderland; Kick Off 7.45pm January 3 2011
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Aston Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
1 |
V |
1 |
Panel Verdict
The panel is backing a draw.
Home: 5; Draw: 17; Away: 13. TBA 1
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
