Wigan revival spells disaster for West Ham
In almost every relegation battle, not matter how tight, there tends to be one club that are viewed as certainties for the drop. A glance around the continent shows the likes of Bari, Almeria, Willem II and Arles-Avignon playing that part, and in the Premier League, Wigan were cast in the same role.
As recently as this weekend, the Latics were bottom of the table, had only claimed two victories in the calendar year and were predicted by many to have no chance of survival, but their impressive 3-1 triumph away to fellow strugglers Blackpool has instantly altered perceptions of them.
Suddenly, Roberto Martinez's side aren't even in the bottom three, their only defeats in eight games have come against three top-four teams, two by just one goal, and none of their remaining five fixtures are once that you would completely write off the possibility of them claiming a point in.
They are a mere point above the drop zone and two clear of joint-bottom West Ham and Wolves, yet with Everton and West Ham still to entertain and their final three away days coming at Sunderland, Aston Villa and Stoke, opportunities exist for them to scrap their way to safety.
That's why Wigan are out to [1.8] to go down having at one stage traded at [1.24] and it's clear that the clubs most affected by their recovery are latest victims Blackpool ([1.36]) and West Ham ([1.46]).
Three successive losses have put the Irons in a dangerous position having appeared at one point to have been on course to stay up relatively comfortably, and with their next two matches at Chelsea and Manchester City, they face entering their last three encounters needing to win them all.
Home games with Blackburn and Sunderland represent huge openings given the awful form of both sides, though it will by no means be easy if they enter the Rovers clash on a run of five defeats, but the visit to Wigan on the penultimate weekend could prove fatal if the hosts still require a win.
Can either Blackburn ([2.9]) or Sunderland ([20.0]) be dragged in? Tell us below...
Published: 18 Apr 2011
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