Spurs take a trip to the DW Stadium today to face relegation battling Wigan in what should be a tense encounter. The result is crucial for both clubs: Wigan in their fight for survival and Spurs in their battle with the other London clubs for a top four place and the riches of champions league football. Wigan come into this game after a 2-0 defeat at West Ham United which now sees the Lactics sitting in the final relegation spot in 18th place. Martinez has developed a reputation in recent campaigns for outstanding end-of-season results and surviving relegation by narrow margins. So this game against Spurs seems as good a time as any to hit that late run of form again. The main problem I see with Wigan's home record is the the amount of goals that they have conceded at home, 32 that is, which is the most in the league. And they are playing against a Spurs side deadly on the counter attack who scored the second amount of away goals in the league (31) second only to Manchester United (35).
Spurs on the other hand are on an absolute high after a morale boosting, possible season saving win at Manchester city. They produced a stunning 7 minutes of football in which they scored 3 goals late in the second half to come back from one nil down after a strike from Samir Nasri in the 6th minute. This victory has put them into 5th place, one point behind chelski and 2 behind the Arse with a game in hand. The Lillywhites have an opportunity to leapfrog their 2 London rivals into third place temporarily as they both play on Sunday. Arsenal have a difficult game at home versus Manchester Unites and Chelski face a difficult away test at swansea. So there is the possibility of lost points there which makes this game even more important for spurs.
Team News:
Tottenham's lightning winger Aaron Lennon has returned to the fold after knee problems however William Gallas (calf) Younes Kaboul (thigh) are not available for selection, with Sandro still out till next season.
Antolin Alcaras (hamstring) is unavailable and Spain centre-back Ivan Ramis (anterior cruciate ligament) is out for the rest of the season, leaving Martines to start Maynor Figueroa in the centre of defence. Ben watson (leg) has resumed training but is not available for selection. Jean Beausejour could drop to left-back, to cover for Figueroa, as he did against the hammers last weekend.
Predicted line ups:
Wigan: Robles; Scharner, Caldwell, Figueroa, Boyce, Gomez, McCarthy, Beausejour, McManaman, Kone, Maloney.
Tottenham: Lorris; Walker, Daswon, Vertonghen, Assou-ekotto, Parker, Huddlestone, Dembele, Lennon, Defoe, Bale.
Final Score Prediction?
I don't see spurs having many problems here and I don't see wigan doing the double over a top four team. So i am going for a comfortable 3-1 win to spurs, with Bale and Defoe both getting on the score sheet.
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