Wigan's love affair with the Premier League relegation race may be coming to a tearful end

5Apr 2013

England - Premier League

 

Wigan have been the Premier League's great escape heroes over the past few seasons, but Hannah Duncan looks at why the Latics may have tempted fate just once too  often...

 

With the Premier League title all but done and dusted, attentions are now turning towards the bottom end of the table - and it's no great surprise to see Wigan  fighting for their top-flight lives once again.

 

The Latics are becoming notorious for their end of season scraps and are getting a reputation for coming good at exactly the right time.

 

It's certainly entertaining for their fans - and the rest of us for that matter - but is the notion actually that accurate and could this finally be the season the  Premier League waves goodbye to Roberto Martinez's side?

 

Wigan are now 3.65 outsiders for the drop, following their victory over Norwich last weekend, but the odds may not ease the concerns of the Wigan faithful, who will be looking at their remaining fixtures in horror.

 

First up is a huge 'six-pointer' away at QPR on Sunday and despite the pressure of the tie, is probably the easiest they will face between now and May 19.

 

Martinez's men also face trips to Manchester City, West Ham, West Brom and Arsenal, as well as hosting Spurs, Swansea and Aston Villa on the final day of the season,  in what could be a make or break 90 minutes for both sides.

 

All that, not to mention the distraction of an upcoming FA Cup semi-final - and dare I say probable final - to look forward to, may mean Wigan's 'great escape' tactics  could finally get the better of them.

 

Wigan are trading at 3.2 to beat relegation rivals QPR at the weekend and there's no doubting it's a match from which they simply must take all three points.

 

Looking at their relegation rivals and assuming QPR and Reading can be ruled out of the equation, Wigan have a far tougher run-in than either Aston Villa or Sunderland  and their FA Cup jaunt could also prove a decisive factor.

 

The Latics are at 1.41 to reach the final and at 5.9 to lift the trophy which, while it would be great for the fans, could leave them with a big price to pay. Reaching Wembley can be damaging for league status - Middlesbrough got there twice in 1997 and still got relegated.

 

Some sections of the DW may be glancing at the history books with hope and while it is true Wigan have dug themselves out of almost impossible looking positions in  recent seasons, the stats indicate all may not be as it seems.

 

Opta show Wigan's record in April leaves a fair bit to be desired, gaining less than a point per game throughout their now eight seasons in the top flight, although in  May it does increase to 1.41 points per game. But, this time around, it could already be curtains by then.

 

But history and stats won't guarantee anybody anything. The current situation does appear a bit brighter for Martinez and his players, having won three of their last  four league outings over Reading, Newcastle and Norwich - games which could comfortably have gone either way.

 

If we assume Harry Redknapp and Nigel Adkins can't work miracles, the final relegation spot could go down to the wire - and that match against Villa could prove  decisive.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Wigan to beat QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday at 3.2.

 

Bet HERE

Viewed 489 times

Comments and Feedback

There are no comments yet. Be the first to comment this article!

Register or log in to submit your comment.