EPL 12 &13 Jan

Derby County v Wigan

Derby are in as dire form as ever, both at home and away. They do not appear to have the ability to win games and can only ever muster draws against off-form teams.

Wigan, meanwhile, seem to have rid themselves of their poor autumn form and are really attempting to kick themselves off and away from the drop zone. They have learnt how to battle out results and have shown their determination in tough games such as their ties against Liverpool and Blackburn.

The game therefore is between one lacklustre team who psychologically will go into this match prepared for defeat and another team who will go into the game willing to do anything and everything in their power to battle out a result. It is for this reason, therefore, that in my book, Wigan have to be backed, now they are capable of winning away from home, as they displayed last Saturday by beating Sunderland 3-0 on the road. However, they do often take just one point from away games and for this reason I think they are best had level on an Asian handicap.

Have a one point bet on Wigan (level) at odds of 1.83.

Everton v. Man City

Everton are looking like an extremely good side at the moment, despite their two recent defeats. They are excusable defeats, a late own goal to give Chelsea the game and a loss to Oldham in a competition that they do not want to be in are forgivable results. However, the psychological effect of this on the Everton players can not be good and the last thing that Everton need at the moment is a losing streak.

Man City are also looking extremely good, especially in defence. A few dodgy results has seen Sven concentrate harder on City’s defence. Parallels can be drawn to Man City’s response to their 6-0 drubbing by Chelsea earlier this season. City have recently not been on their greatest form this season and I feel Sven has responded by concentrating on the defence.

City it seems will have a much clearer goal going into this game than Everton, who have played a mid week game and will be thinking ahead to two weeks time when they host the Carling Cup Holders at Goodison Park. It will however be a tight game and I believe that it will also be a low scoring one.

Have a one point bet on City (+1/4) and also another one point bet on them keeping a clean sheet at odds of 4.2.


I was tempted to have a punt on Portsmouth (priced 2.82 to beat Sunderland) but with rumours of Harry Redknapp’s potential move to Newcastle, I feel that game is best left alone.