Swansea performed with credit for the opening hour at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night on their Premier League debut but were ultimately well beaten and currently sit bottom of the table.
There was no disgrace in losing 4-0 at Manchester City, and their survival hopes will certainly not be determined by such fixtures, but I was disappointed with just how little threat Swansea carried and Brendan Rogers must now prepare his side to face Wigan.
It is sure to be a red-hot atmosphere at the Liberty Stadium as Wales hosts it’s first ever Premier League match when the Latics come to town but there will be an almighty expectation on the hosts to deliver and they look underpriced to me to kick-start their campaign with three points.
No bigger than 2.20 to oblige, the Swans entertainment a fairly limited Wigan outfit but one that is in decent form on the road and a share of the spoils looks likely to me.
With Roberto Martinez leading out his troops at his former club there is more than one sub-plot to this intriguing fixture but we should not be distracted from the fact that Saturday’s sway team is now unbeaten in five top flight matches as a result of their opening day draw with Norwich and Wigan can usually be relied upon to find the net at least once.
While Swansea were free-scoring in front of their own fans last term before securing top flight football with a Wembley play-off win over Reading, they were beaten three times and it might just take a while for them to adjust to the step up in class.
Martinez will know what it takes to counteract the hosts and with that in mind I am happy to take on Swansea at the prices.
I expect them to impress as the season progresses but Wigan have enough Premier League experience to cope this weekend and could just claim a shock away win.
2pts Lay Swansea (vs. Wigan) @ 2.20 (Betfair)