TipResumen

STOKE CITY

Being relegated from the Premier League was always going to be difficult for Stoke City to deal with as some of their top names decided they would move on. The replacements are clearly not going to be of the same level of quality and Stoke City are also getting used to new manager Gary Rowett which suggests this poor start to the 2018/19 season is not as unexpected as the layers may think. Even then the expectation for The Potters was to be challenging at the top of the Championship so Rowett and the fans will be desperate to see Stoke City putting their first win on the board. The side have picked up just 2 points from a possible 9 to open the season and make their second appearance at home having drawn 1-1 with Brentford in the first game at the Bet365 Stadium. Stoke City won 1-2 at Swansea City on the final day of the Premier League season, but they have now won just 1 of their last 17 games in all competitions. Home form had been huge for Stoke City over the years as they consolidated their place in the top flight, but they have won none of their last 8 at the Bet365 Stadium and been beaten in half of those games.



WIGAN ATHLETIC

Recent years have seen Wigan Athletic become something of a yo-yo club between League One and the Championship and the task for Paul Cook is to make sure he can help the club consolidate their position at this level. The fans will understand the anger at Stoke City having fallen out of the Premier League themselves not that long ago, but Wigan Athletic don't have to deal with the same levels of expectancy as their hosts. So far Wigan Athletic have produced some top performances as they have earned 4 points from a possible 9 in the Championship, but Paul Cook may be wondering if they have deserved at least three more points than they have. They have been beaten in the League Cup First Round at Rotherham United, but Wigan Athletic will be kicking themselves for losing 3-2 at Aston Villa in the League having led 1-2. Wigan Athletic have not won any of their last 3 games since beating Sheffield Wednesday 3-2 on the opening day, but they led at Aston Villa and against Nottingham Forest only to have injury time goals cost them at least three points. The Latics ended last season with a single loss in 9 away games in all competitions, but they have lost both on their travels this time around.



HEAD TO HEAD

Stoke City and Wigan Athletic play for the first time since the 2012/13 season when both were playing in the Premier League. Stoke City have not won any of their last 4 home games against Wigan Athletic and have lost 3 of those games.



PREDICTION

Last season two Divisions would have separated Stoke City and Wigan Athletic and that has to have been factored into the price as the hosts are strong favourites to win this fixture. However it has been a tough start to life back at the Championship level for Stoke City who also have to work out the methods being implemented by new manager Gary Rowett. Goals haven't been a big problem, but conceding goals is a real issue for the manager to address as they take on a Wigan Athletic team who have looked very comfortable going forward. Wigan Athletic have not had much luck away from home this season with back to back losses at Aston Villa and Rotherham United and both times they conceded three times. They did lead at Aston Villa 1-2 though and Wigan Athletic will feel they could have earned more from their League games with a little better composure in front of goal. The attacking intent should help Wigan Athletic create chances in this one and I am not sure Stoke City are doing enough to win this one. At the odds backing Wigan Athletic to avoid defeat looks a decent way to approach this fixture and I will back them to do that.