Will Wigan Beat the Drop?

Wigan fans will crossing their fingers and offering a prayer to the footballing gods as they continue their fight for Premier League survival. It seems an all too familiar situation for Roberto Martinez’s side, with the threat of relegation looming over the Greater Manchester based club each year. However, the business end of the season seems to be when Wigan Athletic kick in to life and with only 3 games to go, it seems odds on that they will pull off a remarkable fight back once more.

After losing to Swansea they failed to leapfrog Newcastle and Norwich into 16th place, putting pressure on the teams around them, it would have meant that 4 teams would have been on 38 points. With a trip to the Emirates still to come, it looks like it will be vital for Wigan to pick up the 3 points against Swansea and push the relegation scrap to the final day of the season, when they play Aston Villa at home. With Norwich playing Manchester City at the Etihad and Newcastle hosting Arsenal in their respective final games, Wigan’s survival hopes look intact.

With Swansea holding Manchester City to a goalless draw at the Liberty Stadium last weekend, it seems Wigan will have their work cut out for them to win a vital 3 points. Arouna Kone, their leading scorer with 13 goals, has been a key member of the squad in Wigan’s pursuit of Premier League safety. He has provided league goals when they’ve needed them the most and he’ll have to be firing on all cylinders tonight if they are to get anything from the game at Swansea.

Callum McManaman has also been a key member of Wigan’s squad this season. His barnstorming performance capped off with a goal against Tottenham highlighted what a fantastic emerging talent he is. His overall game has gone from strength to strength and Roberto Martinez will need to keep him performing well for Wigan to stand any chance of beating the drop.