Monday, January 30, 2012

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31.01. (Tue) 20:45 Tottenham - Wigan Athletic

EPL: Aaron Lennon - Luka Modric, Tottenham v Everton
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PROBABLE LINEUPS
Tottenham

FriedelWalker, Dawson, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto Lennon, Parker, Modric, Bale Van der Vaart
Adebayor
Wigan

Al-HabsiBoyce, Gohouri, Caldwell, Figueroa
Watson, McArthur, McCarthy
Moses, Gomez
Sammon
Gareth Bale is expected to return from a minor thigh strain for Tottenham, who may also welcome Sandro and William Gallas back to the match-day squad following calf injuries.

As ever, you may as well toss a coin to predict the involvement of Ledley King. He was rested for the Watford FA Cup game but it may be more likely to see him emerge at Anfield on the weekend rather than at home to Wigan.

Long-term injuries rule out Jermaine Jenas and David Bentley whilst Tom Huddlestone's recovery from an ankle layoff remains a gradual process. Vedran Corluka is also ruled out.

Wigan will be without Antolin Alcaraz again after failing to recover in time from a groin strain. David Jones and Shaun Maloney however, should make themselves available for the trip to White Hart Lane, while Roberto Martinez may look to include new signing Jean Beausejour

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Wigan have lost five of their last six games in all competitions.
  • The clubs have only faced each other 14 times in their history.
  • Tottenham have scored 18 goals to Wigan's five in their league meetings at White Hart Lane.
  • Emmanuel Adebayor (pictured right) has scored all of his nine goals in the Premier League.
  • Tottenham do not have an inspiring record in games refereed by Lee Probert. They have won just two of the seven games he has officiated, including the opening day 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.
  • Wigan's 9-1 defeat at White Hart Lane in November 2009 was the heaviest in their history.
  • Though not relevant for Tuesday, Wigan have not won a home game for five months in all competitions.
  • Tottenham are nine points and two positions better off than at this stage last season.
  • Conversely, Wigan are seven points and three positions worse off after 22 games than last year.
Prediction
Wigan won 1-0 here last season in the early stages of the campaign, a complete contrast to the 9-1 pasting they received two years ago and so will arrive with belief. Nonetheless this is a Tottenham team superior to last year's outfit, and though they could not find a winning goal against Wolves in their last home match, I don't fancy Wigan's defence to be as stout - particularly with Antolin Alcaraz missing. This is a Tottenham win for me.
Editor's Prediction
Tottenham 3-0 Wigan Athletic