Rob's Prediction: Wigan V Blackburn

I think that this game is very difficult to predict. It has been a sad time for Dave Whelan lately and it will be an emotional encounter for Wigan at Ewood Park. With the news he is going to sell the club and John Benson sadly passing, these are testing times for the owner of Wigan Athletic.

Whelan has a connection to Blackburn and he will be eager to get a good result at Ewood Park in order to make things a bit brighter for himself and also to help the team to restore their form after a poor result at Fulham.

Its been a very interesting week for Wigan Athletic, with the news that Dave Whelan is selling the club so it will be interesting to see which way the club will go. It was also a very sad week with John Benson dying and everyone's thoughts will be with his family and also with everyone associated with Mr. Benson.

In respect of the game, I expect a closely fought affair and Roberto Martinez has asked for a more ruthless streak from Wigan after their lifeless performance against Fulham in which they didn't really turn up and it ended a good away form streak.

Unfortunately for Wigan, Blackburn's home record against Wigan is very good indeed and they have not yet lost to Wigan at home - not many teams leave Ewood with all three points either.

ROB'S PREDICTION
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I think this will be a difficult weekend for Wigan and Blackburn will come out of this game with a much needed win which will propel them away from the danger zone. Will Franco Di Santo
play? The script's already written but I think Blackburn will win this game comfortably.

Blackburn 2 Wigan 0

ROB'S OTHER PREDICTIONS
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Bolton V Tottenham - Bolton Vs. Tottenham is a very feisty treat indeed. However Spurs have a dismal record at the Reebok and I don't think Spurs are strong enough to be turned over by Bolton but I think they could get a point. Bolton 1-1 Tottenham

Birmingham V West Ham - Well this is a game that both sides really need to win - I think both sides will flirt with relegation this season but I suspect Birmingham more than West Ham - the hammers have shown signs of improvement and I just think the bubble is beginning to burst slightly for McLeish. I think both sides will be OK but Birmingham are in for a fight to stay in this league. Birmingham 0-1 West Ham United

Blackpool V Everton - Blackpool got a good and well deserved win against West Brom in which two men were sent off and was a typical feisty battle. I can't see Everton enjoying their trip to the seaside, but I can see them emerging with all three points. Blackpool 0-1 Everton

Fulham V Aston Villa - Fulham got a deserved win against Wigan Athletic a week ago which is painful to say but nevertheless, Fulham and Aston Villa are both very good sides and I think that Villa will win but this is a difficult game to predict. Fulham 0-1 Aston Villa

Man Utd V Wolves - I'm sorry but this is a no-brainer. Man Utd at Old Trafford are a fortress rarely breached and Wolves will find it tough. They put in a creditable display on their last visit but Man Utd will run away with this - not emphatically, but comfortably. Man Utd 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sunderland V Stoke City - Sunderland are a very difficult side to beat at home but Stoke are resilient and they've had some very difficult results of late. Sunderland got hammered 5-1 at Newcastle and will be eager to put on a show in front of their own fans, but it won't be enough.
Sunderland 1 Stoke 1

Arsenal V Newcastle - This won't be an easy game for the Gunners but I think that they have far too much about them to let Newcastle worry them. Arsenal 2 Newcastle 0

WBA V Man City - WBA have beaten Man City earlier in the season and Mancini really needs to win this game. WBA will put up a fight but it won't be enough to overcome Manchester City - why are Man City so inconsistent with the players and the resources they have? The difference between them and Chelsea is that Chelsea have a team who have gelled and City haven't. Nevertheless, I expect Mancini's men to get back on track here - they simply have to. West Brom 1-3 Man City

Liverpool V Chelsea - Oh dear, they don't come much bigger than this and Liverpool have hardly set the world alight, have they!? That's why its easy to see a Chelsea victory here and I think they'll beat Liverpool fairly comfortably. I see Chelsea scoring two in the first half and Liverpool setting up a nervy finale. If Chelsea win this game, it will be a massive stride towards a second title. Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea

Until next time from your favourite pundit, Vital Rob!



ROB'S FINAL THOUGHT
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Despite my thoughts on the game, I am hoping for a Wigan win and also a Huddersfield win. I am still more than confident that Wigan will avoid relegation this season and we will once again prove the pundits wrong and nothing would give me greater pleasure.

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