Wigan vs Birmingham prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-03-03 15:00.
The Championship has a fascinating three-way tie going on down in the relegation zone, with the foot of the table occupied by Wigan Athletic owing to the league’s leakiest defence with 52 goals conceded. Wigan have at least tried to wiggle their way to safety in recent weeks, with their most recent 2-1 loss to Preston North End snapping a prior four-game undefeated streak (W1, D3) that saw them uncharacteristically keep three clean sheets.
The saying that “good/bad things come in threes” certainly applies to the Latics at the moment, with Shaun Maloney’s men producing just a trio of home Championship wins all season (D4, L10) – the fewest of all clubs in the division. But they could be inspired by a run of three straight H2H wins against upcoming visitors Birmingham City as they try to get closer to lifting themselves out of the danger zone.
Birmingham are seven points better off than those bottom three clubs, but that buffer won’t last long if they suffer what would be a fifth consecutive loss in this competition. Their latest endeavour was a toothless 1-0 loss to play-off contenders Luton, in what was the 12th of their 16 Championship defeats this season in which they failed to score.
The Blues are indeed feeling blue according to manager John Eustace, who admitted that "confidence is low in the camp” following that Luton loss. This seems especially the case when his side finds themselves trailing, having picked up only two points all season after conceding the first goal of a match (L14). The travelling Birmingham fans may be feeling the same way as they make the trip to the DW Stadium, after seeing their troops lose four of their last six away league assignments (W1, D1).
Players to watch: Wigan need top-scorer Will Keane to rediscover himself if they’re to make a play for survival, especially as he’s recorded his side’s opener in all ten of his goalscoring outings this season. Meanwhile, Birmingham’s top-scorer Scott Hogan will look to add to his three goals against Wigan here, with six of his last eight strikes coming away from home.
Hot streak: Wigan have failed to score more than one goal in each of their last 14 matches