Prediction: Fulham vs Wigan

29th October 2010

Fulham aim to return to winning ways following the six-match winless run and in order to do so, the Cottagers will have to stop high-flying Wigan. The Latics are doing pretty well lately, but they clearly cannot afford to relax as they are still just one point adrift of the relegation zone.

Fulham seemed to have quickly adjusted to Mark Hughes following the departure of Roy Hodgson as they enjoyed a pretty good start to the season, exhibiting the same virtues that had characterized them during the previous regime. Nonetheless, a couple of injuries to star players seem to have taken the wind out of their sails, with Fulham now on a six-match winless run that they are desperate to arrest. Next two home games against Wigan and Aston Villa could be crucial for Mark Hughes’ men as they need to accumulate some points before playing Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester City. Wigan are clearly a team they can beat, provided the Cottagers do raise their game, but it is more than clear they have more than enough quality to escape the relegation race and I expect them to come good any time now. The returns of Andy Johnson and Moussa Dembele served as a big confidence boost, especially as the side have been lacking that firepower without Bobby Zamora, so this could be the game when they finally turn it around.

Wigan remain one of the most unpredictable clubs in the Premiership as how else can you explain the fact that heavy home defeats to Blackpool and Chelsea were followed by the impressive victory at White Hart Lane? The Latics have since managed to stabilize their form and they are now looking to extend the six-match unbeaten run, although they definitely face a tough task against desperate Fulham. Wigan are also unbeaten in their last five away games, but that shouldn’t fool you as that run came after 21 defeats in 29 away games. The visitors are clearly in better spirits than Fulham, but Craven Cottage is a difficult place to play and I believe the Latics will experience that at first hand. James McCarthy and Emerson Boyce remain sidelined, but Gary Caldwell should be fit to play.

Conclusion

If we were to only take teams’ form into account, Wigan would definitely look like a good choice, but there is simply more to it than the eyes can see. Fulham will be much more dangerous up front with Andy Johnson and Moussa Dembele, and seeing they are a real force to be reckoned with at home, I expect them to come on top of average Wigan side.

Verdict: Home win Fulham (1)

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: William Hill