Previews

City desperate to bounce back

Author: John Harris
Date: 29/03/2010
Football betting

Manchester City will be looking to get back to winning ways against Wigan Athletic on Monday night after seeing their unbeaten Premier League home record smashed on Wednesday night.

Everton spoiled their fine record as they recorded a 2-0 success at their City of Manchester Stadium base.

Boss Roberto Mancini was sent to the stands for his spat with opposite number David Moyes late in the day.

It was uncharacteristic of the suave Italian tactician and he will be seeking to collect the three points needed to gather European qualification momentum once again.

City's top-four challenge has taken a small battering with the defeat and they sit in fifth place, five points behind Tottenham Hotspur in the sought after position with eight games remaining.

It was their first defeat in seven fixtures and, with Roberto Martinez's Latics paying a visit, they have a big chance to put their setback to the back of their minds.

Can Manchester City get back to winning ways against Wigan Athletic on Monday evening? - Latest Football Betting

However, history is not on their side. They have won just one of their nine meetings with Wigan in the Premier League and were held to a 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium earlier this season. However, they are overwhelming sportsbook favourites to claim the spoils this time around.

Charles N'Zogbia opened the scoring back in October, but Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov ensured that the points would be shared with his strike at the start of the second half.

Mancini will be hoping Argentina star Carlos Tevez can continue his fine recent goalscoring exploits.

His four goals in five games have enhanced his reputation but, in the four meetings in the Premier League in Manchester between the north-west outfits, just three goals have been notched in total.

Statistically, out of Wigan's 59 goals conceded this term home and away, a massive 41 of these have been leaked in the second half, a telling fact that City will be looking to further increase.

Defensive duo Joleon Lescott (hamstring) and Wayne Bridge (groin) will miss out once again for City and unfortunate midfielder Michael Johnson (knee) is out for the rest of the season.

Wigan may be without N'Zogbia, who is nursing an ankle knock, but he is fast approaching a return to the first team.

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