Premier League: Wigan play host to Liverpool at the DW Stadium
Last Updated: March 1, 2013 12:24pm
Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez get ready to lock horns again
Wigan welcome Liverpool to the DW Stadium aiming to build on their impressive win at Reading last time out.
Wigan moved out of the drop zone with victory at Reading last weekend and they will be hoping to maintain their recent good home record against Liverpool.
The Latics have lost only one of their last six Premier League games against Liverpool after losing seven of the opening nine against the Reds.
Liverpool will come into the game fresh, with their last match coming in the Europa League on February 21st.
Despite crashing out of Europe, Rodgers is demanding Liverpool end the season strongly as they look to finish in the top six and therefore qualify for next term.
Liverpool have drawn their last two Premier League games on their travels and no team has drawn more games away from home than the Merseysiders this season.
Wigan
Wigan defender Antolin Alcaraz could be back in contention to start against Liverpool after returning from his lengthy lay-off.
The Paraguay international played for the last seven minutes of last week's win at Reading after a six-month lay-off with a groin injury.
Fellow defender Emmerson Boyce also came through his comeback from hamstring trouble unscathed and winger Ryo Miyaichi (ankle) is close to returning after three months out.
Liverpool
Liverpool are waiting on the fitness of striker Daniel Sturridge ahead of the trip to Wigan.
Sturridge is struggling with a knock and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers will make a late decision on his fitness.
Long-term absentees Fabio Borini and Martin Kelly remain sidelined with shoulder and knee injuries respectively.
Philippe Coutinho is set to return to the side after being cup-tied against Zenit St Petersburg last time out.
Opta Stats
- Six of the seven Premier League games between Wigan and Liverpool at the DW Stadium have gone under 2.5 goals.
- Just one of Wigan's goals this season has been scored by an English player (Ben Watson).
- Luis Suarez is one of just three players from Europe's top five leagues to fire in more than 100 shots (excluding blocked) so far this season (along with Messi and Ronaldo).
Previous game's starting line-ups
4-3-3
-
26
Al Habsi
-
17
Boyce
-
25
Golobart
-
33
Scharner
-
18
Espinoza
-
4
McCarthy
-
8
Watson B
-
16
McArthur
-
14
Gomez
-
2
Kone
-
10
Maloney
Team taken from Wigan vs A Villa (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
4-4-2
-
25
Reina
-
2
Johnson G
-
23
Carragher
-
37
Skrtel
-
3
Jose Enrique
-
19
Downing
-
21
Lucas
-
14
Henderson
-
44
Ibe
-
10
Coutinho
-
15
Sturridge
Team taken from Liverpool vs QPR (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
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Barclays Premier League
Table
Barclays Premier League
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 38 | 89 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 38 | 78 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 38 | 75 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 38 | 73 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 72 |
| 6 | Everton | 38 | 63 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 38 | 61 |
| 8 | West Bromwich Albion | 38 | 49 |
| 9 | Swansea City | 38 | 46 |
| 10 | West Ham United | 38 | 46 |
| 11 | Norwich City | 38 | 44 |
| 12 | Fulham | 38 | 43 |
| 13 | Stoke City | 38 | 42 |
| 14 | Southampton | 38 | 41 |
| 15 | Aston Villa | 38 | 41 |
| 16 | Newcastle United | 38 | 41 |
| 17 | Sunderland | 38 | 39 |
| 18 | Wigan Athletic | 38 | 36 |
| 19 | Reading | 38 | 28 |
| 20 | Queens Park Rangers | 38 | 25 |
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