There is one match left in the Championship weekend and it comes from the DW Stadium on Sunday afternoon when struggling Wigan Athletic play host to Nottingham Forest, who have begun the season like a house on fire.
Both sides have had a fortnight since their previous match and both have three matches in six days including this one so their squads are going to be tested to the full starting out with this televised clash.
Wigan Athletic
The Championship is so tough these days that clubs the size of Wigan Athletic might have a ceiling to the extent that they can achieve but as with all smaller clubs in English football, the possibility of knocking off the big dogs will be a motivating factor whenever they go out onto the pitch. That might be a little harsh on Wigan here because their home form is very good and has been since they were promoted back to this level.
Only Leeds United have won at Wigan this season which is a recognition of the strength of their home form but they have only scored six goals in the five matches and I wonder if that is sustainable with results long-term. The Latics could do with a result here because a number of sides down the bottom won on Saturday. That might have added to the pressure on their shoulders here which isn’t ideal.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest will head to the DW Stadium unbeaten since the opening week of the season and without a loss on their ledger on the road. That includes going to Fulham and Swansea and winning and getting a draw at Leeds so Forest will be confident and comfortable that they are on their travels. There has been an assurance over the City Ground outfit this season and it will be interesting to see if they impose themselves on this match.
Only Leeds United have conceded fewer goals than Nottingham Forest this season. If there is a criticism of Sabri Lamouchi’s men it comes in the form of their output in front of goal but I don’t think they are ever going to be a side who takes teams apart regularly or anything. They are going along very nicely though and any kind of win moves them up to second place in the table heading into the midweek games.
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Team News
Wigan Athletic will be without suspended midfielder Sam Morsy while playmaker Gary Roberts and Tom Pearce are also out of the contest. Michael Jacobs has a chance of featuring for the home side however.
Samba Sow is rated as a doubt with a hamstring injury for Nottingham Forest but there is a chance that Michael Dawson will return to the heart of the defence having recovered from a calf issue during the international break.
Betting
I think we are in for a low scoring match here. Wigan haven’t had a home game go over 2.5 goals since the opening day of the season which are always slightly more frantic affairs whereas only one of Nottingham Forest’s last six matches have had three or more goals in it. Both sides are pretty sound defensively which does not encourage when it comes to an open and attacking contest.
I like under 2.5 goals here. Wigan haven’t conceded in any of their last three at home while Forest are a side who look to build from a solid defensive base without necessarily committing too many men forward. Unless something bizarre or unforeseen happens here I’ve got to think we are unlikely to see three goals in this one.
Tips
WON – Back Under 2.5 goals for a 4/10 stake at 1.75 with 888sport
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