Wigan vs Southampton Prediction & Betting Tips - FA Cup

Prediction published on 15/03/2018, 18:02  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 19/03/2018 at 04:34 in FA Cup Prediction

Three Premier League sides have already travelled to League One Wigan Athletic in this year's FA Cup competition and all have been defeated. Bournemouth, West Ham and Manchester City have all been beaten and Wigan managed that without conceding a single goal. It's a cup run that nearly ended in the Second Round as they struggled to beat National League team AFC Fylde trailing 2-1 at home with ten minutes to play before two late goals won them the tie. Wigan are second in League One, five points behind the leaders and above third place Shrewsbury Town on goal difference but with a game in hand which will be two by the end of this weekend. The League One side are undefeated in their last five league and cup games and at home have only lost one of their last 12 games in all competitions. Just one game away from a Wembley semi-final, Wigan will be hoping to cause another upset particularly against a team that have just sacked their manager.

Southampton are currently 17th in the Premier League, one place and one point above the relegation zone. With both Crystal Palace and Stoke City playing on Saturday,  Southampton could be as low as 19th by the time this game begins on Sunday. A heavy defeat at Newcastle United last week saw Southampton's owners finally wield the axe and they now have Mark Hughes in charge of the team. He won the FA Cup four times as a player and will be hoping for a quick response from his new team to get through this tie. Southampton have beaten Fulham, Watford and West Brom to reach the last eight but struggle on their travels with only the cup win at Fulham and two victories at West Brom in their last 14 games. They have only scored 13 goals in 14 away league games this season and up against a very competent Wigan defence, they might struggle here. The hope is that the change in management will bring about a positive result but the tip here is to go for under 2.5 goals in this match.