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Wigan Athletic: 2010 Team Preview | Odds

Matt Martz weighs in with Barclays Premier League 2010 futures betting article on Wigan Athletic. Wigan was able to avoid relegation for a sixth straight season in the Premier League…

English Premier League – Wigan Athletic 2010 Preview

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Odds to win the 2010-11 Premiership outright: 2000/1

The Latics, who concluded the 2008-09 season in 11th place, dropped five spots with a 16th place finish in last year’s campaign under first-year head coach and former Wigan midfielder Roberto Martinez.

Despite having some of the worse losses in Premier League history that included a 9–1 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur and an 8-0 to Chelsea in their final match of the season, the side was able to avoid relegation for a sixth straight season in the Premier League.

Wigan’s 79 goals conceded and -42-goal difference was the worst defensive record and goal difference for a team staying afloat in the top flight.

In contrast the Latics were able to beat Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool at DW Stadium for the first time ever during the season, all of which are sides that are contenders and are always in the top part of the table.

The defense had only six clean sheets also last year, and will certainly need more in order to stay in contention this year.

In effort to tighten up their defense Wigan have added Dutch defender Ronnie Stam to their squad from Dutch champions FC Twente, as well as Paraguayan centre back Antolin Alcaraz who had a good showing at the 2010 World Cup. Both will be welcome additions to the backline. Bet on Soccer at Sportsbook.com

While Wigan’s off-season transfer activity didn’t make headlines, they did add Argentinean striker Mauro Boselli, Bolton keeper Ali Al Habsi, and Scottish midfielder James McArthur, who will be reunited with his former Hamilton teammate James McCarthy.

Returning players will be leading scorer, forward Hugo Rodallega (10 G, 4A), as well as midfield maestro Charles N’Zogbia, and defender Maynor Figueroa, whose powerful shot can freeze even the best keeper. If the trio is still on the roster by the time the transfer window closes at the end of August, Wigan’s stay in the top-flight is likely to reach its seventh season.

What Martinez lacks in tactical knowledge he makes up for in knowing the game and how to develop success from a grassroots level. He loves to attack the football, which can sometimes leave the defense vulnerable. With the addition of Stam and Alcaraz, Martinez will be free to operate his aggressive 4-2-3-1 formation.

Wigan Athletic 2010 Prediction: Wigan’s best finish in the Premiere League was in 2006 when the Latics finished 10th. They proved that they can beat some top sides last season, but failed to establish any consistency. With the addition of some very young upcoming offensive-minded players as well as some solid signings on defense, I can’t see why Wigan cannot finish at least 10th this season.

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Matt Martz is a sportswriter for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. “ Football (soccer) is a game in which a handful of fit men run around for one and a half hours watched by millions of people who could really use the exercise.”

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