Premiership - Middlesbrough v Wigan

21 February 2009

Preview By Tipster Rooney (England)

Asian Handicap Line 0 : 0

Boro -once again- were let down by their defense as they didn't manage to hold on their lead and knock Hammers out of the FA cup. It is true though that Boro has been improving on their last games. They gave a good performance vs City but regrettably they gained nothing out of it. Riverside was a very difficult place to go and pick up all 3 points during last years, even for the big teams it was a struggle. However this year Middlesbrough didn't take full advantage of their power at home mainly for psychological reasons imo.

Downing just scored for the first time in the season if I am not mistaken (against Hammers) so his confidence must be boosted now. I am sure Gareth Southgate is a pretty ambitious manager (and a good one) and he won't like to be involved in a relegation struggle. Seriously I can't see Boro ending up in the Championship. They don't belong there. But the danger is there. Stoke and Brom might be inferior (theoretically of course) but there is one more 'hot seat' available and lots of candidates for it as well.

It is more than obvious that Boro (as Robert Huth denoted) are feeling the pressure at their shoulders in their every move. Wigan on the other hand are heading totally in the opposite direction. They are enjoying a 7th position at the moment only 10 points behind 5th Arsenal and 11th above the relegation line. This can give u and indication of how strong this year Premiership is. Wigan on their last games they just have stopped scoring, as they sold Heskey who was a constant threat at front. Palacios is gonna be missed as well as he was running up and down the field like a machine, a truly commanding defensive midfielder. N'Zogbia cannot perform the same amounts of tasks on the field and he doesn't possess Palacios' physical presence as well.

I think that Steve Bruce is an exceptional manager and he proved this at Bimingham, where his contract was wrongly terminated & then the Brummies dropped at the Championship. I think the home win on the AH has definitely hidden value inside. I was really dissapointed that I didn't took this bet on Sunday. Boro was offered at 1.84 from Pinnancle and 10bet. Still it is worth to take the home side with the AH line set wrong though as I strongly believe by Saturday Middlesbrough will be offered at the -1/4 line. Already CanBet has removed the level ball (0:0 AH) line and the prices are dropping everywhere (Bet365, Pinnacle, 10bet).

Truth is that Wigan is not an easy opponent to beat. Kirkland is a very good goalkeeper and it will take something exceptional for him to be beaten. I hope Boro will produce that 'something exceptional' on Saturday. For sure the home team is really in need of the points while the visitors won't be hugely dissapointed to escape with a draw on this one. I am gonna have a punt on the home win with medium stakes. After all the draw gives us the money back (DNB) so it is worth a shot. Good luck!