da apostebet： A real relegation six-pointer takes place at the DW Stadium on Saturday with Blackburn travelling to North West neighbours Wigan who are desperate to end a club record run of eight defeats on the trot.
da cassino： A promising start to the season has given way to a disastrous run of results with the Latics failing to muster a single league point since their 2-0 win at home to QPR on the 27th of August. Boss Roberto Martinez has seen his slide slip to the bottom of the league and already look consigned to playing their football in the Championship next season. They have struggled to deviate away from their quick passing and movement philosophy and their failure to adapt and structure themselves sufficiently to match up against the differing styles of other teams has been their downfall. Another reason for their slump to the foot of the table has been their inability to score goals on a regular basis. Despite having the £15 million rated Hugo Rodallega up front front flanked by Franco Di Santo and the highly-rated Victor Moses they’ve managed just seven goals in 11 games. The fact of the matter is that goals win games and with Wigan failing to regular find the net it’s a problem that Martinez needs to address immediately. Creating chances is not an issue with the midfield probably the most efficient part of the Latics side but the wastefulness of the men in front of them has become a serious issue. Rodallega is the main culprit with the Colombian squandering several opportunities against Wolves in their last game before the international break. With a defence that leaks goals left, right and centre it’s imperative that they start scoring goals with the Latics fans celebrating just two in the last five games.
Blackburn are in a similar predicament sitting one place and one point above their hosts with manager Steve Kean under increasing pressure to turn things around at Ewood Park. Rovers have won just once this season in league this season with seven defeats coming their way leaving them second bottom and relegation looks a frightening possibility. Kean is fast approaching the first anniversary of is appointment but was an unpopular choice from the word go and has been the subject of protests from supporters all season long. Early performances were extremely poor and it was no surprise to see the club fall so easy to defeats in their opening four games. A 4-3 win at home to Arsenal looked like it was going to be a turning point and whilst their displays have improved results have remained the same with Rovers picking up only two points from their last five games. Their predicament mirror’s that of Wigan’s with scoring goals and keeping them out proving to be major problems. It’s startling to think Rovers back four has conceded 24 goals already in this campaign despite having Christopher Samba, Ryan Nelsen, Scott Dann and Martin Olsson in the ranks with all of them proven top flight performers. The one bright spot of an otherwise miserable start to the season has been the emergence of Junior Hoilett with the Canadian winger giving fans hope that the club can pull away from trouble. However the negativity surrounding Kean’s place in the dugout looks likely to continue and it’s only a matter of time before the fans get their wishes should Rovers continue to flounder.
Wigan – 20th
Last Five
Lost 3-1 v Wolves (A), Lost 2-0 v Fulham (H), Lost 1-0 v Newcastle (A), Lost 3-1 v Bolton (H), Lost 2-0 v Aston Villa (A)
Potential Starting X11
26. A. Al Habsi 2. S. Gohouri 3. A. Alcaraz [C] 17. E. Boyce 3. M. Figueroa 8. B. Watson 21. M. Diame 19. D. Jones 7. A. Crusat 11. V. Moses*20. H. Rodallega
Injury News
Martinez will be delighted that he has a fully fit squad at his disposal with only the injury prone Chris Kirkland prowling around the DW Stadium’s treatment room.
Key Player
Victor Moses – Depsite failing to find the back of the net this season Moses’ displays have been exciting and should he add goals to his game the winger could keep Wigan up. The club have never replaced the goals provided by Charles N’Zogbia and there is no doubt Moses has it in him to provide a similar service. His pace and trickery down the wing have caused problems all season and he needs a little confidence boost to go that extra yard and start scoring regularly.
Match Fact
Despite losing eight games in a row the Latics will be welcoming the visit of Blackburn having remained unbeaten in the last four meetings at the DW Stadium winning three and drawing one. Their latest win over Rovers was a thrilling 4-3 win in early February.
Blackburn – 19th
Last Five
Lost 1-0 v Chelsea (H), Drew 3-3 v Norwich (A), Won 4-3 v Newcastle (H), Lost 2-1 v Tottenham (H), Drew 1-1 v QPR (A)
Potential Starting X11
1. P. Robinson 5. G. Givet 4. C. Samba [C] 31. G. Hanley 3. M. Olsson 23. J. Hoilett* 8. D. Dunn 15. S. N’Zonzi 12. M. Gamst Pedersen 20. R. Rochina 24. Yakubu
Injury News
Kean is missing three key first team defenders for the trip to Wigan with Ryan Nelsen and summer signing Scott Dann consigned to the treatment room with veteran right back Michel Salgado also ruled out.
Key Player
Junior Hoilett – A bright light of optimism in a period of intense darkness for Rovers. Hoilett has lit up Ewood Park with his his energetic performances that are vital to the way Kean’s side attack. His speed down the wings is a key component of their counter attack attacking game whilst his willingness to knuckle down and do the nitty gritty work has endeared him to supporters.
Match Fact
The DW Stadium hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Rovers in the last few seasons with three defeats and a draw coming in their last four visits. It’s a far cry from their first two trips where they emerged victorious in both with their last win coming 2007 when they went home 3-0 winners courtesy of goals from Mat Derbyshire, Benni McCarthy and an Emile Heskey own goal.
Last Time at the DW Stadium
Premier League 5th February 2011
Wigan 4-3 Blackburn Rovers
McCarthy 35, 56, Rodallega 50, Watson 65 pen
Roberts 23, Samba 58, Dunn 81 pen
Attendance: 18, 567
Referee: Mike Dean
PREDICTION
This is a good old fashioned relegation six pointer that could prove to be a huge turning point for both sides. Roberto Martinez’s luck seems to be running out fast with Wigan having avoided the drop by the skin of their teeth in each of the seasons they’ve been led by the Spaniard. The loss of N’Zogbia in the summer has hit them hard he’s yet to see any of his players step up to the plate and deliver on a regular basis. The same could be said for Rovers who floundered under the stewardship of Kean who should expect more backlash from his own fans on Saturday. This game could go either way but don’t expect a classic goalfest as both are likely to play it safe and avoid defeat.
Score: 1-1
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