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English Premier League 2012 Preview: Wigan Athletic vs Stoke City Predictions

Stoke City will look to bring the noise against Wigan Athletic. Catch real time updates on your favorite English Premier League Match.

Wigan Athletic Preview

After watching the opening day match against Chelsea, it is clear that no matter who Wigan is playing, they seem bound and determined to deliver the most exciting matches of the Premier League season.

Even if their crowd could be confused for the guest list at a funeral parlor, Wigan play an attacking style of football that no one else is currently brave enough to attempt in the EPL.

Roberto Martinez has his 3-4-3 system implemented well already this season. It has its ups and certainly its downsides, as the Chelsea match showed in full.

Within the opening seven minutes, the Blues were already two goals to the good after Eden Hazard had run fellow debutant Ivan Ramis into a tizzy.

But after Frank Lampard’s penalty, Wigan began to settle down and boss the match. Part of this was due to Chelsea beginning to back off, but at least part of it had to do with Wigan’s concept of attacking play.

Stoke City Preview

Debutant Michael Kightly opened the scoring on 35 minutes after some poor goalkeeping from Adam Federici saw his deflected shot squirm through the Australian's hands and came out with a 1-1 draw against Reading

Stoke dominated for large periods of the game, but when the lively Garath McCleary was clumsily brought down by Dean Whitehead, who was sent off for the challenge, Adam Le Fondre coolly slotted home his first Premier League goal to snatch an unlikely point for the Royals a minute from time. Stoke were keen to build on their one-goal cushion as they pressed on, and Walters went close again. Begovic had launched a free kick far up the field, and after receiving a flick on, the former Ipswich striker fired from a tight angle, but this time Federici was equal to it.

Wigan Athletic vs Stoke City Predictions: Stoke City 2-1 over Wigan Athletic

Stoke City will have an advantage in the sense of their disciplined defense. I see this being close but, Stoke City pulling this one out.

Original Source Wigan Athletic vs Stoke City