Resurgent Arsenal face tough test at Wigan
Arsene Wenger thinks the title race is back on after Chelsea's defeat at Old Trafford - but Arsenal will have to beat Wigan on Saturday if they're to have any chance of catching the Blues
Dave Harris
17-Nov-2005
Arsene Wenger thinks the title race is back on after Chelsea's defeat at Old Trafford - but Arsenal will have to beat Wigan on Saturday if they're to have any chance of catching the Blues. Can they do it? Here are our thoughts on all of this weekend's televised Premiership matches to help you get started:
Wigan v Arsenal
This is Arsenal's first away fixture in the Premiership since the shock defeat at WBA over a month ago. Wigan are undefeated at home since their opening day loss to Chelsea, and should provide the Gunners with a real test. bethilo are predicting that the visitors will edge this one by 0.6 to 0.8 goals. Results at the JJB this season suggest it will be a low scoring affair, but Van Persie is on fire for the Gunners and his pace will be a problem for De Zeeuw and Henchoz. Arsenal will be without a recognised left-back and it will be interesting to see whether the Latics can use this to their advantage. They'll need Bullard to continue his early season form on the right side of midfield, if they are to get something from this game.
This is Arsenal's first away fixture in the Premiership since the shock defeat at WBA over a month ago. Wigan are undefeated at home since their opening day loss to Chelsea, and should provide the Gunners with a real test. bethilo are predicting that the visitors will edge this one by 0.6 to 0.8 goals. Results at the JJB this season suggest it will be a low scoring affair, but Van Persie is on fire for the Gunners and his pace will be a problem for De Zeeuw and Henchoz. Arsenal will be without a recognised left-back and it will be interesting to see whether the Latics can use this to their advantage. They'll need Bullard to continue his early season form on the right side of midfield, if they are to get something from this game.
WBA v Everton
Everton grabbed a vital win at Birmingham in their last away match, but the Baggies should be a tougher proposition. The home side were a little unlucky to lose 3-0 at the Hawthorns to Newcastle and are a better side than that score line suggests. Kuszczak looks like an adequate replacement for Kirkland, and they should be stronger in attack with Ellington fully fit.
Everton grabbed a vital win at Birmingham in their last away match, but the Baggies should be a tougher proposition. The home side were a little unlucky to lose 3-0 at the Hawthorns to Newcastle and are a better side than that score line suggests. Kuszczak looks like an adequate replacement for Kirkland, and they should be stronger in attack with Ellington fully fit.
Everton look to have turned a corner in recent weeks, and their improving form is linked to the return to fitness of Beattie and Van Der Meyde. However, Aussie Cahill is unlikely to feature and that is a blow to a side struggling to score goals. bethilo reckon that the Baggies will come out on top by 0.0 to 0.2 goals, and it looks like being a close, scrappy affair.
Middlesbrough v Fulham
Fulham are in decent form, inspired by the return to form of Malbranque. However they will be without Boa Morte, who will certainly be missed. Boro's last home game was the 4-1 thrashing of Man Utd, and they should be confident of grabbing all three points again on Sunday. Schwarzer and Viduka are likely to be absent, but with Yakubu and Hasselbaink in good form they should have too much quality for the Cottagers. bethilo are predicting a home victory, with Boro priced up to win by 0.6 to 0.8 goals.
Fulham are in decent form, inspired by the return to form of Malbranque. However they will be without Boa Morte, who will certainly be missed. Boro's last home game was the 4-1 thrashing of Man Utd, and they should be confident of grabbing all three points again on Sunday. Schwarzer and Viduka are likely to be absent, but with Yakubu and Hasselbaink in good form they should have too much quality for the Cottagers. bethilo are predicting a home victory, with Boro priced up to win by 0.6 to 0.8 goals.
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