Liverpool vs Wigan Betting – Benitez Focuses on Top Four

Barclays Premier League
Anfield
Wednesday, December 16
Kick-off: 8 pm

It may all seem like doom and gloom around Anfield, but there are reasons to be optimistic. Despite losing their sixth Premier League game of the season against Arsenal last Sunday, the festive period could hold a lot of cheer for Rafa Benitez, if he can muster just a little more quality from his bunch of players. In contrast to league leaders Chelsea, Liverpool do not have anywhere near as many world class players on their books, despite having a much bigger squad. The obvious talents of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, is the backbone of the club, and as has been proven, if they are not around due to injury, then the struggles are made all that much worse.

Even taking the lead against Arsenal, once Arsene Wenger had given his team the hairdryer treatment at half time, Liverpool disintegrated into aimless long balls forward, which produced nothing, and handed the comeback victory to the Gunners, in a manner so comfortable for the Arsenal defence, they must have been shocked themselves. Rafa Benitez may have only guided the Liverpool side to just three wins in their last 15 games now, which clearly is far below the standard expected from the Kop, but the fixture list for December is now going to be a lot kinder to the Anfield men.

It starts on Wednesday night, with a home game against Wigan, the 14th placed team with the joint worst goal difference in the Premier League. They have a couple of injury worries, notably with Javier Mascherano, whose future at Anfield still appears unsettled, and England full back Glen Johnson, who put through his own net to draw Arsenal level on Sunday. Roberto Martinez, Wigan’s manager, can take a full squad to Anfield, in the hope that they can at least get a deserved point against a vulnerable Liverpool side.

But the history of Liverpool vs. Wigan points in the home side’s favour, as Wigan have never beaten Liverpool. They have come close to stealing a win, but have lost 8 out 10 matches against the Reds, and Liverpool generally don’t lose against bottom half of the table teams. The hope and promise of a top four finish by Rafa Benitez, will simply have heaped more pressure upon his heavy shoulders, but there is reason to believe. Fernando Torres is back to health, and with a run of games to come against Portsmouth, Wolves and Birmingham, should give them the opportunity to close the gap on the current top four, of which, Liverpool are currently 5 points behind.

Wigan, who famously beat league leaders Chelsea earlier in the year, are finding the going just as tough as Liverpool are at the moment. They have only picked up a solitary win in their last half a dozen outings, and that form has seen them slip back the table, where many were expecting at least a top ten finish. This is a coming together of two teams who are below the form expected of them. Home advantage always has to count for something, and for a team who have conceded 24 goals on their travels, it is going to be difficult for Wigan to pick up a win.

Liverpool to win: 4/11 at Blue Square
Draw: 4/1 at Victor Chandler
Wigan to win: 12/1 at Victor Chandler

Betting Advice: Wigan have gotten two 1-1 draws out of the last three attempts against Liverpool, and with Liverpool in a state of a lack of confidence at the moment, it could be a good time to take Wigan with a + handicap. Liverpool should win this game, but being below par, they will be unlikely to run riot.
Wigan +1.50 Asian Handicap – 11/10 at Victor Chandler