Our prediction for this League 1 match:
Wigan
Match Time & Date:
29/12/2023
20:00
Prediction: 1-1
Carlisle
Wigan Athletic will look to put an end to their three-game losing run when they take on Carlisle United on Matchday 25. The Latics do not seem to be at the top of their gam, but Friday’s clash could be the turning point for the home side. Both Jonny Smith and Callum McManaman are pushing for a start, while there are no fresh injury worries in the home team.
The Cumbrians, on the other hand, are stuck at the bottom with only 17 points on their account. Carlisle United played out a 1-1 draw with Fleetwood Town on Boxing Day, but given their poor away record of (1-3-7), we believe that punters from all around the globe can find value in betting on the hosts. Paul Simpson is unlikely to make changes to the team that shared the spoils with the Cod Army on Tuesday.
Highlighted Player (Tomas Holy):
Born in the town of Rychnov nad Kneznou, Czechoslovakia, Tomas Holy is a Czech professional footballer who plays as a Goalkeeper for Ipswich Town in League One. The 27-year-old was born on the 10th of December, 1991, and joined FC Hradec Kralove's youth academy in 2006. After spending four years with them, he signed for Sparta Prague and started playing for its B team.
His first professional appearance for AC Sparta Prague B came on the 11th of June, 2011, in a 1-2 home loss against FK Varnsdorf. He went on to ply his trade-in Czech football for the next six years before moving to Gillingham in England on the 20th of January, 2017, on a two and a half year contract. Gillingham's manager praised the 2.06m tall goalkeeper's "large presence" and "ball-kicking ability," stating them as reasons behind his recruitment. In his time at Gillingham, Holy made 107 appearances and kept 25 clean sheets in all competitions.
On the 24th of May, 2019, Holy joined Ipswich on a free transfer and made an immediate impact. He kept six clean sheets in his first ten league games for Ipswich, including a run of five consecutive clean sheets, a club record. Internationally, Holy has capped at the under-16, under-17, and under-18 level for his country but is yet to receive a call up for the first team.
Highlighted Team (Wigan):
Wigan Athletic are one of the winners of the English FA Cup. The Latics won the prestigious trophy in 2013, with the team upsetting Manchester City in the title game. This is considered the club’s biggest success, but it has to be noted that Wigan played in the UEFA Europa League in the 2013/2014 season.
Wigan have been playing their home games at the DW Stadium since 1999 and they had played at Springfield Park in the past. Chorley are considered Wigan’s fierce rivals, but the two teams last met in 1971, when they competed in the Northern Premier League. The likes of Preston North End, Bury, Oldham Athletic, Burnley and Blackburn Rovers are regarded as Wigan Athletic’s rivals as well.
The club was founded in 1932 and they competed in the English Premier League from 2005 to 2013. The colour of Wigan’s home kit is blue and white (stripes).
Anderlecht 
Porto 
Athletic Bilbao 
Elfsborg
AZ
Galatasaray 
Heidenheim 
Chelsea 
Manchester United 
Bodo Glimt
Real Sociedad
Ajax
