Analysis
Manchester United cannot permit themselves to underestimate Wigan Athletic although they clearly hold the tag of favourites. The Latics enter the new year with confidence having recently triumphed 3-0 in an important EPL survival battle against Aston Villa.
Wigan Athletic, in 16th position, have 18 more matches to try and remain above the relegation zone. The first of these 18 games appears as a huge battle against Alex Ferguson’s in-form Manchester United. However, there is no reason why Wigan will not try their luck knowing that they defeated the Red Devils in their last home meeting.
Repeating this feat will certainly be difficult but not necessarily impossible. In fact, Manchester United’s defence had to be bailed out by the attack’s heroics so many times this season. Fergie’s backline has conceded 28 goals already in the English Premier League. Wigan Athletic would love to add a few more goals to Man United’s unconvincing defensive tally.
However, records do not favour Tuesday’s hosts who have allowed 20 goals and netted only once in their last six clashes against the Red Devils. With a seven-point advantage over closest rivals Manchester City, United can welcome 2013 with a smile.
“We are in a good position. We are halfway there,” Ferguson told The Sun ahead of New Year’s Day.
“We have a game on Tuesday away at Wigan and we look forward to it.”
Comeback victories and a total of 50 goals scored in 20 English Premier League matches are two things that have offered Manchester United an excessive amount of confidence but Wigan Athletic will be out to stun their opponents by exploiting their weak defence.
Facts
• Wigan Athletic have lost four of their last six matches in the English Premier League.
• The last time Manchester United lost this season was on December 5 against CFR Cluj in the UEFA Champions League.
• Manchester United have secured five clean sheets in their last six encounters against Wigan Athletic.
• No English Premier League club has lost more times than Wigan Athletic (12) this season.
• Two of Manchester United’s three defeats in the EPL have occurred away from home.
Head-to-head – Last five matches
November 20, 2010: Manchester United 2-0 Wigan Athletic
February 26, 2011: Wigan Athletic 0-4 Manchester United
December 26, 2011: Manchester United 5-0 Wigan Athletic
April 11, 2012: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Manchester United
September 15, 2012: Manchester United 4-0 Wigan Athletic
Prediction
Result: Wigan Athletic 1-3 Manchester United
