Wigan v Newcastle: Will Wigan's will to win be greater than Newcastle's?
Chelsea's heroics at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night have put Newcastle United fans on edge. The Mags are currently in fourth spot but that may not be enough to secure Champions League football next season if Chelsea's luck continues and they actually go on to beat Bayern in their own backyard.
Fortunately Arsenal are not too far from their clutches. The Mags are just three points behind the Gunners, with a game in hand, and with Wenger's men playing Stoke at the Britannia this afternoon, anything can happen. What Alan Pardew needs to do is keep his side focused on the job at hand and that is to beat a Wigan side that has toppled the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool over the past few weeks.
The Latics are just outside the relegation zone but Bolton could send them back in it if they were to win their game in hand. Roberto Martinez's men missed out on a vital point last weekend at Fulham and some pundits feel that they have now blown their chances of beating the drop. That might be a bit harsh though considering they play Blackburn in a huge six-pointer next week.
Newcastle have only managed to record one win at the DW Stadium in the Premier League. That came last season courtesy of a Shola Ameobi strike. One goal has been enough to split the sides in each of the meetings at Wigan. That would suit both teams but with Cisse in sparkling form Newcastle will fancy their chances of continuing their awesome run of form.
Our pundits see this being a great day for the visitors.
Wigan Athletic v Newcastle; Kick off 3pm April 28 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Aston Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
1 |
V |
4 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
Panel Verdict
Newcastle are tipped to keep the pressure on Arsenal in third.
Home: 4; Draw: 8; Away: 21. TBA 3
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
