Rob's Prediction: West Brom v Wigan

Wigan travel to the Hawthorns this weekend to try and get back to winning ways and get 3 points against a West Brom side who, by and large, have been luckless this season, but can they pull off the great escape and avoid relegation? Never say never.

That said, I think West Brom are a great footballing unit, but for some reason or other, it hasn't worked out for them in the premier league and although there is quality there for all to see, there is distinct quality lacking in key areas where the team have let themselves down badly.

However, this is a great opportunity for the West Brom team to get three vital points and considering how other teams do at the weekend, three points might give West Brom real hope of survival. Then again they do have a home game against Liverpool but strange things have happened in the football game and its not beyond doubt that a draw might be salvagable.

Chris Kirkland returns to his old stomping ground, but favours shall not be at a premium from the goalie as he and the team prepare to try and focus their minds on getting the team back up the table as far as possible. Top ten now is out of the question which is unfortunate but a good finish would be a mid-table one. At least we have the luxury of not looking over our shoulders and the Wigan faithful deserve a break after two heart stopping seasons of tense drama.

WEST BROM: PLAYER TO WATCH: CHRIS BRUNT
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This guy is a good player and he is good with his free kicks, too. Will pose a problem to the Latics. The back four will need to be on their toes to ward off the WBA threat because although they are poor defensively, attacking they are decent.

WIGAN: PLAYER TO WATCH: HUGO RODALLEGA
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Hugo's been a bit unfortunate to not see his duck broken as the crossbar has thwarted him countless times. However, today I think he will break his duck as he deserves to.

ROB'S PREDICTION
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Wigan are safe! That's what matters more than anything else. WBA are desperate. I think they'll be so desperate to get a win they'll open themselves up to devastating counter attacks and I just don't see them winning at the Hawthorns. They had a good win against Sunderland which, with respect, was a little unexpected but I expect that Wigan will be tougher, with no disrespect to Sunderland, who are a good side. No, I see a draw on the cards at the Hawthorns in a thriller.

West Brom 3 Wigan 3

ROB'S OTHER PREDICTIONS
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Blackburn v Portsmouth: 1-1
Bolton v Sunderland: 1-0
Everton v Tottenham: 1-1
Fulham v Aston Villa: 1-0
Hull v Stoke: 0-2
West Ham v Liverpool: 1-1
Manchester Utd v Man City: 2-1
Arsenal v Chelsea: 1-2
Newcastle v Boro: 0-1

ROB'S FINAL THOUGHTS
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Newcastle must win at St James' Park for any chance of survival. They can't score though and neither can Middlesbrough but Middlesbrough have looked decent and have been unlucky and I think they will get the decisive goal at St James' Park to plunge Newcastle into deeper troubles.

WBA will, I think, draw with Wigan in a great thriller. Its about time we had one of those and I think WBA's days are numbered, unfortunately, as they play good and honest football. It really is a genuine shame the plight that WBA find themselves in.

Sunderland are playing poorly and I expect a narrow defeat at the Reebok. Bolton are as safe as houses. They'll be there next season. He's done well, Gary Megson and seems like a good, honest chap, just like the Bolton team and co.

Hull, well, this is a MUST win game. I don't see it. They can't score either. Stoke can and they picked up a win against WBA at the Hawthorns which shows they can do it and against a team who cannot score as opposed to one who can, well, I don't think its too hard to see a likely outcome, but I shall not write off Hull's chances based on my own predictions, but I just see Stoke nicking this by the odd goal.

Its gonna be a good weekend of football... WITH WIGAN SAFE FOR A FIFTH SEASON!! GET IN!!

See you again next time for Rob's prediction. I just have a feeling about the home game against Manchester United but I shall not be disappointed with the result as long as we put in a good performance.

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