Stoke City vs Wigan Predictions

• Stoke have lost three of their last four home games.
• Stoke have failed to win eight of their last 11 games in all competitions.
• Wigan have not lost any of their last 13 away games in all competitions (Won 9, Drawn 4).

Stoke signal their priorities like elsewhere

Stoke City’s recent transfer activity suggests Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Wigan Athletic will come below next week’s Championship home game against Swansea City on their list of priorities.

The Potters’ desperation to return to the Premier League saw them make six new signings in January as Michael O’Neill sought to reinvigorate a faltering challenge for a playoff place.  Phil Jagielka, Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Lewis Baker are cup-tied for the visit of the Latics, but Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Josh Maja and Liam Moore could all feature at Bet365 Stadium.

O’Neill’s team have won only one of their last six at home – and that was against mid-table League Two outfit Leyton Orient – so confidence in a Potters win can hardly be sky high.

Wigan’s wonderful away form could continue

Contrast that with the away form of Wigan, albeit at League One level, and you can see why we like the generous odds on the visitors to avoid defeat in this game. Leam Richardson’s men have not tasted defeat away from their DW Stadium since October and have only lost twice in 19 road trips so far this term.

They got a 1-1 League Cup draw at Hull in their only away game against Championship opponents this season and beat third-placed Blackburn 3-2 in the previous round of this competition. Therefore, the odds against price on the Latics not to lose this game look too good to turn down.

Stoke have failed to win eight of their last 11 games in all competitions and enter this match having have lost three of their last four home games. Backing the away side to win would have been our selection but for a slight dip in Wigan’s form over the last two games – draws against Cheltenham and Oxford teams that they really should have beaten.

A 1-1 scoreline looks good value in correct score betting because Wigan have kept clean sheets in less than one third of their road trips this season, but in three quarters of those games they have conceded less than two goals.