Blackburn v Wigan Tip

When these two sides met back in November it was a feisty 3-3 draw with a sending off and a penalty equaliser nine minutes into added time. Now, with less than a week of the season remaining, the stakes are even higher and the contest will surely be just as lively. We get generous odds on backing a similar sort of scoreline; over 4.5 goals in the match is a 5/1 shot with Bet365.

Wigan are a side reborn. They are enjoying the best run in the club’s history with successes over Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle all coming in recent weeks. The performance in thrashing the Magpies 4-0 last time out would suggest that Rovers will not be able to contain them tonight.

Blackburn have to win to stand any chance of top flight survival. Even if those hopes look futile, Steve Kean will be determined to see his side go down fighting. The manager came under heavy criticism (again) for the lacklustre display at Tottenham last weekend. I can’t imagine he won’t respond by sending out a much more attacking formation this time.

The fact is that the hosts have carried a goal threat for most of the campaign. Yakubu and Hoilett are strikers of Premier League quality and have shown they can find the net with the right service.

This Lancashire derby is full-blooded at anytime but now the evening could end with Rovers relegated and Wigan safe. With so much riding on this, I anticipate plenty of thrills and spills, and a few defensive errors. Another goal glut is quite conceivable at best odds of 5/1 with Bet365.