Birmingham travel away to the DW Stadium today to go head to head with Wigan Athletic. Lee Clark will be attempting to provide another injection of positivity after dropping another two points against ten man Brentford.
Wigan will be hoping to pick up on their slow start and record a second straight win. The Latics beat Blackpool 1-0 last night out and Vital Wigan editor Worbo told me yesterday he feels they are just now getting into their stride.
Key to Wigan is McArthur and with him now looking set to depart they certainly have significantly weaker team for today. Uwe Rosler is certainly a capable manager and their push for playoffs and even promotion wont be helped with any further sales.
Blues are coping better this year as they managed to towards the end of last season. Donaldson and Cotterill just two names that manage to get other teams on the back foot.
Vital Quotes:
Rosler to WiganLatics.co.uk:
“We`re quite optimistic and in good shape coming off the back of two good performances, obviously the last one was rewarded with three good points. Hopefully we can make another step to climb up the table.”
Steve Watson to BCFC.com:
We`re confident. We went there last year and earned a point through being hard to beat and causing them problems.
Wigan Athletic Team News:
Wigan midfielders Ben Watson, James McClean and Chris McCann are all still absent for the home side today. Shaun Maloney will face a late fitness test to determine his contribution today.
Player to watch: Oriol Riera
Vital Wigan:
‘Oriol Riera is our big summer signing, a centre forward brought in from Osasuna, he was their leading scorer last season and he got off the mark with the match winning goal against Blackpool, he looks likely to be a good acquisition, but Callum McManaman is the man on fire.
Macca has started the season in excellent form and by far and away our most potent offensive outlet.
Birmingham City Team News:
Eardley remains a doubt after picking up a muscle strain against Sunderland. Randolph will return in goal and Gleeson may be in with a chance of starting in midfield. Mark Duffy also put in an impressive 90 minutes against Sunderland and could have a chance.
Player to watch: David Cotterill
David Cotterill is a sure to start the game, hopefully in a 4-4-2.
His ball delivery will be key again for Blues as he guarantees at least one goal scoring headed chance per game.
Match Facts & Stats
From the BBC:
? Wigan won the last meeting 1-0 at St. Andrew’s in April.
? Wigan are unbeaten in the last four meetings, winning two. Birmingham’s Ulast win was 1-0 at St. Andrew’s in the Premier League in February 2010.
? Birmingham have won only one of their eight visits to Wigan. Their only win was 3-2 in the Premier League in December 2009.
Match Prediction:
Wigan are a quality side with a lot of very good players, despite the sale of McArthur.
They are certainly capable of a home win and will be wanting to do just that.
Realistically: 2-1 Wigan
Hopefully: 1-0 Blues
Next Fixtures:
13 September – Leeds – Championship K.O 12:15
16 September – Sheffield Wednesday – Championship – 19:45