Football Betting

Wigan/ Man United

The Daily Mail this week ran with some intriguing facts and myths about the brain - not the big issues, such as why their readers have such difficulty with the concept of people from Africa and Eastern Europe or the residents of council estates – but "fun" facts, such as "Exercise helps keep your brain fit."

Were this true, Premier League footballers would be amongst the nation's most mentally agile, yet any post-match interview culled at random from the thousands performed each season would demonstrate that this is patently not so.

Yet as the season reaches its dramatic climax – one chair, two arses, music stops Sunday - mental toughness has become the key theme of pre-game chatter. Chelsea have "the momentum", whereas United have to go and play in a potato field at Wigan. John Terry says Chelsea have "a steely determination", whereas the Guardian believes Alex Ferguson will be "frowning".

The fact that at this late stage Chelsea are still pressed up against United like a sex-pest commuter must be driving the reds mad with irritation. So Chelsea to win the mind games, and the league.

Disagree? Then get your money on United now!

Wigan
Last six: WDDDWL
Last six league games: WDDDWL
Last six league home games: DDWWDW
Injuries: Melchiot (groin, May 31), Edman (ACL knee, September)
Suspensions: None

Manchester United
Last six: WWLDDW
Last six league games: WLDWDW
Last six league away games: LDDWWW
Injuries: Vidic (concussion, doubtful), Rooney (hip/thigh, doubtful), Saha (hamstring, May 31)
Suspensions: Nani

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» Manchester United haven’t won any of their last four away games in all competitions.

» They have failed to win their final away game in the past two seasons.

» Wigan are unbeaten at home since January, and have the huge advantage of playing on a terrible pitch (also used for Rugby League) that stops the big clubs playing neat and tidy football.

» chickendinner superfact: Since Steve Bruce took over as manager they have faced Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, and on each occasion have come away with a point.

» Wilson Palacios and Luis Antonio Valencia have been linked with Manchester United, and will want to show what they can do - as Carlos Tevez did on West Ham's final day victory last year.

» Manchester United have bottled it on the final day before, most notably in 1995 when Blackburn’s defeat to Liverpool meant victory over West Ham would hand United the title - they drew 1-1.

» The Curbishley factor – Another one of Ferguson’s allies, Alan Curbishley, couldn't defeat the United boss while managing Charlton, but upon switching to West Ham he couldn’t stop, winning three in a row. Could the same effect happen to Bruce now he has swapped Birmingham for Wigan?

» Steve Bruce wants to manage Manchester United one day, but faces stiff competition from the likes of Roy Keane, Mark Hughes and Carlos Queiroz. Achieving something that the United hierarchy will never forget is sure to improve his chances.

More reasons why Wigan will get a result

» Wigan are unbeaten in five and have lost just two of their last eleven.

» Wigan have conceded just one goal in their last seven home games.

» They've also conceded just two in their last five league games home and away, compared to seven by Manchester United.

» Manchester United's record away against their North West rivals this season is only the third best - trailing Liverpool and Everton.

06/05/08

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