Wigan Athletic travel the 100 miles or so down the M6 today to face a West Brom side that are as goal shy as they are. The leagues two poorest scorers, what`s the betting on a goalfest?
This game is sandwiched between some very difficult matches for the Latics and they really do need to get something from the visit to the Hawthorns, last week against Arsenal was very disappointing and the team just capitulated after 15 minutes, expect changes to the starting eleven today.
West Brom will see this as a winnable game and they will be difficult on their own patch, but if we are to pull off an escape from the drop zone then we really do need something today
What The Bosses Say:
Latics boss Roberto Martinez:
‘We need to start picking up points because we are catching up, so we cannot afford to go into any game thinking that a draw will be good enough.’
‘We know that West Brom are going to be a difficult side because they work really, really hard.
‘It will be an exciting game because they can control possession well and we love to control possession so you should see an entertaining game of football.
‘It is going to be one of those games that both sides set up really well to win’
West Brom boss Roy Hodgson:
‘Wigan are a footballing team that try to play football at all times’
‘They have good movement and good interchange of positions in midfield.
‘They have a lot of offensive-minded players and in the games I’ve seen them play, in particular, the two lives games I’ve seen them play, they have created goal chances despite not getting results.’
West Bromwich Albion Team News:
Zoltan Gera is out for the season otherwise its a full squad:
West Brom from: Foster, Olsson, Reid, Shorey, McAuley, Morrison, Brunt, Thomas, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Long, Fulop, Dawson, Jones, Tchoyi, Scharner, Odemwingie, Cox.
Player to watch: Shane Long
The former Reading player has settled into life with the Baggies following his summer move, he has scored five of the thirteen league goals West Brom have managed so far this season
Wigan Athletic Team News:
Antolin Alcaraz returns from his suspension and Emmerson Boyce is back in full training
Latics from: Al-Habsi, Stam, Figueroa, Gohouri, Caldwell, Diame, McArthur, Jones, McCarthy, Gomez, Crusat, Moses, Sammon, Di Santo, Pollitt, Lopez, Watson, Rodallega, Alcaraz, Boyce.
Player to watch: Ronnie Stam
The flying Dutchman has been very good in his last two games, Stam gives the Latics a counter-attacking option and he puts some great balls into teh box
Flying Stam
By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic
Any Previous?
Latics and West Brom have met 16 times previously
Latics 6 wins, West Brom 6, draws 4
Ref Watch:
Mike Dean (Wirral)
Why not take a look at our excellent ‘Meet The Ref’ article
Mike Dean Card Watch 2011/12
Games – 14, yellows – 50, reds – 1
Match Prediction:
Head says 1-1 draw
Heart says sneaky 1-2 Latics away win, as always, go with the heart
Up Next:
Premier League
Latics v Chelsea
DW Stadium
Saturday
17/12/11
5:30pm
Latics v Liverpool
DW Stadium
Wednesday
21/12/11
8pm
Latics and Proud
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