LeeDixon

We have said for a long time that there was going to be a blip in Manchester City's season. Well, here it is. But is it major blip? I'm not so sure.

The goals have dried up, while a few defeats have interrupted what was previously serene progress and the injuries and suspensions are beginning to bite. Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany are going to be missed while the mercurial David Silva is carrying an ankle strain.

But there are many other big names at the club who arrived for big money and now is their chance to make an impact. That means players like Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko waking up and showing why City paid for them in the first place. Both revelled in the early weeks of the season as City flew out the blocks but neither is showing their best at present.

City have enough attacking strength to get the better of most teams but the defence is a concern. Stefan Savic was all over the place against Liverpool and doesn't look ready for the league yet. A central pairing of Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott looks likely at Wigan. But even with a patched-up XI and players out of position City should be alright on Monday night. Wigan have been struggling all season long and their home form is poor. Worse still, as Opta point out, the Latics have failed to score in six of their last eight league games against City and the last four in a row.

I don't particularly want to back the away side at a tight 1.44 so I will play three correct score options in an attempt to get City on my side - 0-1, 0-2 and 1-2, which pays at combined odds of around 3.0. City are not playing the free-flowing football of the early weeks but they have enough to get past Wigan and I think this will be relatively tight.

First Goalscorer

Sergio Aguero was a winning bet a few weeks back and, given he scored a hat-trick against Wigan earlier this year and looks a highly likely starter, he's my selection again. If he gets a chance he hits the target, and he will definitely get chances at Wigan.

Sending Off

Martin Atkinson takes charge and this card happy ref - who has already shown six red cards - may just unleash his seventh! There are a few red card candidates on either side and this bet could cop at a handy price.

Recommended Bets
1pt Back 0-1 @ 8.4
1pt Back 0-2 @ 8.4
1pt Back 1-2 @ 9.0
2pts Back Sergio Aguero first goalscorer @ 5.0
1pt Back a sending off @ 5.0

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