FA Cup: Swindon Town vs Wigan Athletic Odds and Betting Preview

SWINDON, UK - League Two Swindon Town host Premier League side Wigan Athletic this Saturday afternoon in the FA Cup Third Round in a tie which probably has one of the biggest gaps between two sides in the league ladder of all the cup ties this weekend. 52 places in four league separate the two sides, though Wigan are still odds against to beat Swindon at a price of 8/5 (bet £5 to win £8) with Victor Chandler. Swindon are marginally longer at a top price of 21/10 with Coral and abou 2/1 with most other firms, while punters can back the draw with 23/10 with Ladbrokes, Betfred and Bet365.

The two sides are experiencing very different seasons, albeit in very different scenarios. Swindon were disappointingly relegated last season to the bottom wrung of the Football League ladder and are on their way to making a push for promotion on the first time of asking, in 4th position in the league, only 3 points off the automatic promotion places. They have done well when away to teams supposedly favourites over them, beating top-placed Crawley Town 3-0 away. The Robins are 17/2 to achieve a similar feat here today by beating Wigan 1-0 with William Hill and Paddy Power and best at 11/1 with Betfred to sneak a 1-1 win.

Swindon would most probably be pleased with a draw, which would result in a reply at the DW Stadium in the north-west in 10 days time. Swindon are 6/5 with Paddy Power to qualify in any way from the tie, while Wigan are 8/11 with Boylesports to qualify for the fourth round now or next Wednesday.

Wigan have played five games against sides in the lower half of the league away from home, the closest comparison you could probably draw to a game like Swindon away, and they have a W1 D1 L3 record. Stan James offer 4/7 for Swindon to win with a (+1) goal handicap, and 6/1 with a (-1) handicap. If you see Wigan enjoying an easy win, you can back the Latics at 4/1 with Ladbrokes to win with a (-1) handicap, and 10/1 with Paddy Power to win by three goals or more. 

It is hard to know what sort of team Roberto Martinez will select for a team whose priority is undoubtedly to stay in the Premier League, but it is most likely that Martinez will rest one or both of Hugo Rodallega and Victor Moses, which means we could well see a front two of Connor Sammon and Franco Di Santo up front. Sammon is a top price of 15/8 with Boylesports to get on the scoresheet, while ex-Chelsea striker Di Santo is best at a slightly longer 21/10 with Bet365 to score anytime.

Gary Caldwell and Emerson Boyce are available again for Wigan while Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio has striker Mehdi Kerrouche still on the sidelines having not played for a month due to injury. There are rumours young striker Callum McManaman may start for the Latics.

The match kicks off at 1500 GMT.

Match Result Odds