Wigan v Potters

Last updated : 03 December 2010 By BBC Sport

Stoke will be without defender Marc Wilson, who is serving a one-match ban.

Jermaine Pennant has a hamstring problem while Andy Wilkinson is struggling with his knee - both will have late fitness tests.

 

Wigan

Suspended: Rodallega (one match)

Doubtful: Boyce (hamstring), Boselli (knee), G Caldwell (thigh), Di Santo (ankle)

Injured: McCarthy (ankle), Moses (shoulder)

Stoke City

Suspended: Wilson (one match)

Doubtful: Pennant (hamstring), Wilkinson (knee)

Injured: Sidibe (Achilles)

 

 

MATCH PREVIEW

At first glance, Stoke versus Wigan may not sound like the pick of this weekend's games but last year a game between them produced the Match of the Day Goal of the Season, courtesy of Maynor Figueroa's amazing free-kick from his own half.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain Premier League status for a third year and this club will have put down rock-solid foundations to really push on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stoke manager Tony Pulis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wigan could desperately do with some similar inspiration now - dumped out of the Carling Cup in midweek, the Latics are the lowest-scoring team in the Premier League and are languishing in the relegation zone.

Things look much brighter for visitors Stoke, whose draw with Manchester City last weekend saw them reach 20 points - halfway to safety four games before the season's halfway point.

The eighth-placed Potters should provide hope for Wigan - a month ago Tony Pulis' side were hovering around the relegation zone after four straight defeats - but three wins in their last four matches have pushed them into contention for Europe.

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Three of the four meetings between these teams in the Premier League have ended in a draw. Stoke won the other match 2-0.

• Stoke are unbeaten in their last three visits to Wigan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have your say on this match

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wigan

• Wigan's tally of 11 goals is the lowest in the Premier League.

• The Latics have won just one of their last eight league matches - that was their 1-0 victory at home to West Brom on 13 November.

• Wigan are unbeaten in their last four home league matches.

• Defeat would be Wigan's 100th in the Premier League.

Stoke

• Stoke are unbeaten in four league matches, winning three of those.

• The Potters are bottom of the Premier League's first-half table - but top of the second-half table. They have scored two goals before the break, 17 after it. They have scored five goals in the 85th minute or later in their last four matches.

• Tuncay scored in both games against Wigan last season.

• Matthew Etherington, who has scored in Stoke's last two games, will be making his 200th Premier League appearance.

 

 

LEADING GOALSCORERS

 

Wigan

Rodallega: 4 goals (4 league); N'Zogbia: 4 goals (3 league)

 

Stoke City

Jones: 6 goals (4 league); Walters: 4 goals (3 league)

 

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mike Jones

Assistant referees: Dave Bryan & Trevor Massey

Fourth official: Lee Mason

 

 

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Wigan (L3-1 v West Ham, a): Al Habsi, Stam, Gohouri, Steven Caldwell, Figueroa, Gomez (Moses 61), Diame, Thomas (Watson 68), Cleverley, N'Zogbia, Di Santo (Boselli 61). Subs Not Used: Pollitt, McArthur, McManaman, Mustoe.

Stoke (D1-1 v Man City, h): Begovic, Wilkinson (Wilson 63), Huth, Shawcross, Collins, Pennant (Sanli 46), Whitehead, Delap, Etherington, Jones, Fuller (Walters 75). Subs Not Used: Sorensen, Higginbotham, Whelan, Gudjohnsen.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport