A home tie against the bottom of the table team provides a good chance for Steve Bruce’s men to notch three valuable points: but can they take it?

Wigan ended a sequence of eight straight league defeats last week when they drew 3-3 with Blackburn. Many will feel they were unlucky to only draw after conceding a very, very late penalty and the manner of the result may have deflated them, rather than bolstered confidence.

If you think that finally gaining a point will spur them on to greater things then they can be backed at 9/2 (bet365 – £200 free bets) to take all three points. Before piling in though, consider this: Wigan have just one point away from home this season, a 0-0 draw at Swansea.

They have been comfortably beaten in their other five away fixtures and so Sunderland have to be worth a shout at 8/11 (Ladbrokes – £50 free betting). Whilst Bruce’s side are only just outside the relegation zone their home form has improved dramatically in recent weeks. They are unbeaten in their last four matches at the Stadium of Light and have noticeably tightened things up at the back.

Although Wigan manager Roberto Martinez likes his side to play good football we think this will be a scrappy affair. Despite the support of Chairman Dave Whelan the Spaniard knows his side need to start digging in and fighting and so we think this will be a game of few goals. Under 2.5 goals is worth a look at good odds of 15/16 (188Bet). Wigan have only scored twice on their travels this season whilst Sunderland have kept two clean sheets in the last four in front of their own fans.

This won’t be a thriller and much as the away side need something from it we think this will swing the way of the Mackems with 1-0 the most likely score.