What the bottom three need for Christmas

A jam-packed festive timetable gives the bottom three a real chance to climb, though it can just as easily bring more misery...

Wigan

2.58 to be relegated

 

Need: A whole host of injured players to return

 

Why: A win over bottom side Reading apart, Wigan are in a serious freefall at present, shipping at least two goals in their last seven Premier League games.

 

Urgency: What's not helping the Latics' defensive stability is their escalating injury list, kicked off by Ben Watson suffering a broken leg against Liverpool in mid-November. The central midfielder is one of Wigan's most consistent and experienced Premier League performers and, prior to that game, Roberto Martinez's side had won two out of their previous three league games. Martinez has also been left without two of their three first-choice centre backs with Ivan Ramis unavailable since November 24 and the Spaniard has now been joined on the sidelines by captain Gary Caldwell for four of the last five games.

 

 

QPR

1.77 to be relegated

 

Need: A striker

 

Why: QPR's long overdue first victory of the season doesn't mask the fact that they are the Premier League's joint-lowest scorers, with just 15 goals from their 17 matches. However, there is certainly renewed optimism at the club since Harry Redknapp was installed and off-the-bottom Rangers can now be laid to go down at 1.8.

 

Who: The club's leading scorer in the league is midfield maestro Adel Taarabt with four to his name. With Jamie Mackie usually employed out wide, Djibril Cisse is just about the only fit striker and the eccentric Frenchman is not coping well with the responsibility, notching only twice to date. With Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson both out long term, the need for a striker is desperate. Proven Premier League scorer Darren Bent would make the perfect choice, provided he can overcome his differences with Redknapp.

 

 

Reading

1.14 to be relegated

 

Need: An experienced centre back

 

Why: First, it was fellow new boys Southampton breaking Premier League records for goals conceded. Now, unfortunately for table-propping Reading, their disastrous slide to the foot off the table has coincided with them surpassing Saints for generosity in the goals against column.

 

Who: There are not likely to be many available players fitting this description but one player who should be on Brian McDermott's radar is Aston Villa's Richard Dunne. The Irish international has not featured at all for his club this season due to injury and, with Paul Lambert focusing on blooding youngsters, he is reportedly ready to listen to offers for a centre back who has made more than 400 Premier League appearances. You fear for Reading's defence as they travel to the Etihad Stadium this Saturday, where the champions can be backed at 2.6 to score four or more goals.

 

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