Wigan Athletic vs Southampton
England – FA Cup
Date: Sunday, 18 March 2018
Kick-Off at 13:30 UK
Venue: The DW Stadium (Wigan).
The experienced Premier League manager Mark Hughes took charge of Southampton just days ago after the team decided to part ways with Mauricio Pellegrino. The Welshman will make his debut on the bench in Sunday’s FA Cup quarterfinal against Wigan Athletic at The DW Stadium.
The Saints have been struggling badly throughout the entire season and the Welshman will clearly have a super challenging task in order to save them in the elite come May. Southampton are currently just a single point above the line and their recent spell of form suggests even greater troubles. The main challenge for Hughes will be finding the way to motivate his strikers who have been struggling for goals lately as the Saints have not found the back of the net at all in last two league outings even though the opposition included the names of Stoke City and Newcastle United.
Wigan Athletic will come into the game in higher spirits after ending the two-draw run with a super important win away at Bradford City in mid-week’s League One clash. The success against the Bantams has helped Paul Cook’s men regain the second place in the league ladder. Wigan are actually the only team outside the elite class at this stage of the competition.
The hosts have completely deserved to be in the last eight after eliminating the likes of Manchester City 1-0 in the previous round thanks to a goal from their star man Will Grigg. The Northern Irish striker has bagged as many as seven goals so far in the competition and he will no doubts be the biggest threat to Southampton’s goal.
Grigg should have plenty of space to create in the final third knowing that Southampton have revealed plenty of defensive holes last weekend when they fell 3-0 to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
Wigan Athletic vs Southampton: Head-to-head
The two teams have only locked horns twice over the history.
Matches took place back in the 2012/134 season of the Premier League when Wigan Athletic took four points netting two goals in both ties against the Saints.
Wigan Athletic vs Southampton: Prediction
The value has to be with the hosts who will be greatly encouraged with the win over Manchester City under their belts.
Given that Southampton have won just 1 of last 12 league matches on the road, we have to take Wigan not to lose at 1.72.
We’ll alternatively back Will Grigg to score anytime for the hosts at the odds of 3.20.
Wigan Athletic vs Southampton: Bet Tips
Wigan Athletic or Draw Double Chance @ 1.72
Will Grigg to score anytime @ 3.20
