3rd Oct 2013 | Football
Wigan v Maribor Tip
15th in the Championship with many key players out - the Latics' heavy favouritism is a mystery.
There’s something very speculative about the odds for Wigan’s first ever European fixture at the DW Stadium, and how could there not be? None of us really know how a mid-table Championship side ranks against the champions of Slovenia.
However, if I was compiling the odds I wouldn’t make Maribor anything like as long as 11/2 (Betfred) for the win. They may have a lack of pedigree, but they are playing Wigan Athletic who have never been in this situation before!
What we do know about Maribor is that they rule the roost domestically. Not only defending champions, but also top of the table again after scoring 24 goals and conceding just eight in 11 league matches.
That goal threat does seem to extend to the Europa League in which they scored home and away against Tottenham last season, drawing 1-1 in Slovenia. Maribor also found the net three times at home to Panathinaikos, once against Lazio and twice in defeat to Rubin Kazan a fortnight ago. They conceded five that night, so the defence is leaky, but they aren’t whipping boys.
Wigan won only once in September across all competitions (W1 D1 L3) and scored in only one of those games. Tonight they are missing a host of key players including Al Habsi, Caldwell, Maloney and Holt. Best odds of 8/13 (WilliamHill) on the home win are just too short.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 11:36 3rd Oct, 2013 but subject to change
