Wigan vs Sunderland prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-12-28 19:45.
A knockout 4-1 defeat against Middlesbrough on Boxing Day plunged Wigan into even murkier Championship waters, with only two points now keeping them off the foot of the table. The appointment of Kolo Touré has yet to have the desired effect by way of results, but with the January window fast approaching, thus offering the chance to add his personal touch to the squad, better times may be on the horizon.
TourĂ©âs wait for a maiden Latics victory could well be prolonged with Sunderland next up at the DW Stadium, with Wigan having lost six of the last eight league H2Hs (W2). One win in their last 11 Championship games fails to offer Wigan much hope of ending that run (D2, L8), though encouragingly the Latics have won their final league game in each of the last two calendar years.
Firmly in the play-off shake-up, Sunderland are unlikely to lend a sympathetic hand and should make the trip to the North West full of confidence after their stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 victory over Blackburn on Boxing Day. Winning back-to-back league games for only the second time this season is now the primary aim for a Sunderland side in search of successive promotions.
While Wearsiders may be whispering the word âpromotionâ ever so quietly, a mounting injury list at the Stadium of Light does threaten to stunt their momentum somewhat. Even with a pile-up in the treatment room, Sunderland should still travel strong on the back of a four-match unbeaten away league run (W2, D2), a streak which saw the Black Cats score after half-time in each game.
Players to watch: Thelo Aasgaard netted Wiganâs only goal against Boro, meaning six of his seven Latics goals have come after the hour mark. Sunderlandâs Ross Stewart has netted in both his Championship games since returning from injury and had quite the afternoon against Blackburn, scoring at both ends of the pitch.
Hot stat: No Championship side has scored fewer first-half home goals this season than Wiganâs three.