Scouting the Doubles – Wigan Athletic

Next up in our double gameweek analysis is Wigan Athletic, a side undoubtedly buoyed by last Monday’s home win over Liverpool. Despite having beaten two of the “Big Four” this season, Roberto Martinez’s side have been blighted by an inconsistency that sees them sit just four points above the drop zone and will be hoping to string together a run of results in their fight against relegation…

The Opponents

The weekend trip to the Reebok comes first, where Bolton, after six away games in their last eight fixtures, will be glad to be back home. Owen Coyle will demand his side pick themselves up from a 4-0 hammering at Sunderland, and Bolton can take hope from the fact they have recorded three home clean sheets in a row now. As Bolton boss, Coyle has only been beaten once at the Reebok, in his first game, against Arsenal.

Wigan then play host to Aston Villa, the team with the league’s best defensive record. Villa are the league’s only unbeaten team in 2010 and have four cleanies in their last five Premier League road trips. Martin O’Neill’s side are still well in the hunt for fourth spot, and the final Champions League qualifying place, sitting just four points off fourth place with two games in hand.

Current Form

Wigan’s win against Liverpool was their first victory in eight games, with Roberto Martinez’s side just managing to stay out of the relegation zone. The newly-laid DW pitch will definitely aid their cause, with the previous quagmire so detrimental to their passing game. The goals have dried up of late, and Wigan have scored two or more goals just once in their last twelve league games.

The arrival of Gary Caldwell in the January transfer window has undoubtedly boosted their defence; having recorded just three clean sheets in nineteen to the turn of the year, Wigan have been unbeaten at the back three times in their nine league games of 2010.

Rotation Risk

Martinez pulled a surprise by subbing both Charles N’Zogbia and Paul Scharner in the recent defeat at Birmingham, and a repeat would not go down well with their FPL owners. Marcelo Moreno led the line well against Liverpool and seems to have the lone striker role nailed, with Hugo Rodallega moving back to the left wing. Victor Moses is still being used sporadically, getting his minutes mainly being introduced from the bench later on in games.

The Wigan boss seems to have hit upon his ideal line-up following the bedding in of the likes of Caldwell and Moreno after the January transfer window, with the XI that started against Liverpool a fair indication of his favoured first-choice team.

Potential Targets

Wigan are so hot and cold it’s impossible to guess whether they’ll turn it on from one week to the week. Who could’ve guessed, for instance, that Hugo Rodallega would bag 9 pts (the sum total of his previous six FPL matches) from the Liverpool game alone?

However there’s always the possibility this Wigan gameweek could end up being similarly as poor, FPL-wise, as the recent Burnley (or Sam Ricketts) double. With the majority of FPL managers plumping for Villa players this DGW, Wigan could maybe be worthwhile for those needing a punt on a differential. Here’s a list of the main players this week:

Chris Kirkland
With both upcoming opponents needing wins to aid their respective causes, the Wigan keeper will definitely be at the heart of the action. Given an easy ride by Liverpool last Monday, Kirkland will have to put in a shift if both Bolton and Villa are to be repelled.
Predicted Return: 8 saves, 1 clean sheet

Paul Scharner
His eye for goal means Scharner is always considered a good punt, but he has found the net just once in his last fifteen league games. The big Austrian will always be a threat, however, and his classification as a defender means he’s the best multi-purpose FPL Wigan player.
Predicted Return: 1 clean sheet

Charles N’Zogbia And James McCarthy
Perhaps surprisingly, he has the same number of goals as Scharner, and only has two more assists, but his total of 23 Bonus Points means only 5 Premiership players have more BPs this season. Despite scoring only one goal and one assist in his last ten appearances, N’Zogbia has picked up Bonus in five of them, illustrating how valuable he can be FPL-wise, regardless of his team’s on-pitch results.

James McCarthy is worth a mention, too, with another impressive midfield appearance this week, as he pitted his wits against the frustrated Stevie G. The youngster hasn’t scored or assisted in his last seven games though, and has returned just 13 points in his last 7 games, suggesting transferring him in would be something of a risk.

Predicted Return: 1 clean sheet, 1 assist, 1 Bonus Point

Hugo Rodallega
Despite the Liverpool goal being his first this calendar year, Rodallega is still the sixth highest scoring FPL forward for the season, picking up just 1 Bonus Point less than N’Zogbia to date. Martinez will be hoping this week’s goal is a much-needed return to form for the Colombian. Has scored eight times this season, and has only failed to pick up Bonus Points in one of the games he’s found the net in.
Predicted Return: 1 goal, 2 Bonus Points

Marcelo Moreno
Led the line well against Rafa’s side, and his performance suggests he is now adjusting to the physical nature of the Premiership. With Rodallega back on the left wing, Moreno’s place as the lone striker looks assured, given that the only other real alternative is Jason Scotland. Was unlucky to not find the net against Liverpool and with Wigan’s passing game coming good again, the Bolivian should benefit with a goal or two in the near future.
Predicted Return: 1 goal, 1 assist