My Thoughts
When the TV head honchos got hold of the fixture list at the start of this season, and were told to pick what games they wanted to show, it's difficult to imagine this game jumping off the list. Yet this game will be the lunchtime game tomorrow, which may (or may not) tempt this pundit to head for the pub. The recent fallout between the (allegedly) nude Stoke boss Tony Pulis and his star centre-forward James Beattie offers an interesting subplot to a match which should feature something of a clash of styles: Stoke's direct, physical approach has been well-documented, while under Roberto Martinez, Wigan play (or at least attempt to) a fluid 4-2-31 system, with lots of short, neat passing serving their angry, powerful and sometimes brilliant frontman Hugo Rodallega.
The Verdict
'Tis true that neither side goes into this one in the best of form: Stoke have just one win in their last 5 (and even that was at home to bottom side Portsmouth, who also had a penalty saved). WIgan also have just 1 win in 5, and their recent run also happens to include a 9-1 horsing away at Spurs. Add to that their poor away record in the league this season (2-0-5) and the likely abscences of midfield enforcer Hendry Thomas and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, this pundit reckons that Stoke will edge this one.
The Bet
Stoke have scored just 13 goals in the league this season, the lowest total in the league, and despite Wigan's porous defence, it's difficult to see this one being full of goals, particularly given Stoke's decent defensive record (conceded 17 in the league this season). Therefore, this pundit will be backing Stoke outright, as well as having a look at under 2.5 goals (prices to follow this evening, I'm at work).
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