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Played
January 19, 2013 3:00 PM GMT
The DW Stadium — Wigan
Referee:‬ A. Taylor‎
Attendance:‬ 19219‎
 

Wigan - Sunderland Preview: New signings Espinoza & Hernrique set to strengthen injury-stricken Latics

The DW Stadium outfit are suffering from a series of injuries and poor home form this year, but manager Roberto Martinez is hopeful he can strengthen his side with two new signings

By Sion Cleaver

More On :  Sunderland, Wigan Athletic, Wigan Athletic vs Sunderland
  PROBABLE LINEUPS


WIGAN
  Wigan Athletic
Al-Habsi
Espinoza, Caldwell, Figueroa
Boyce, McCarthy, Jones, Beausejour
McArthur, Maloney
Di Santo
SUNDERLAND
Sunderland
 
Mignolet
Gardner, O'Shea, Bramble, Colback
Johnson, Vaughan, Larsson, McClean
Sessegnon
Fletcher

Roberto Martinez' Wigan will be without Ivan Ramis (knee) who is suffering from a suspected ligament injury.

The Latics boss is therefore likely to give new signing Roger Espinoza his Premier League debut in defence, with fellow newcomer Angelo Henrique likely to start on the bench.

Antolín Alcaraz (groin) has been deemed not fit for Sunderland's visit to the DW Stadium alongside long-term injury sufferers Adrián Lopez (hamstring), Ryo Miyaichi (ankle) and Ben Watson (broken leg).

Sunderland, meanwhile, will be without Lee Cattermole (knee) for the trip to Wigan, with Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill likely to opt for the inclusion of David Vaughan in midfield.

Wes Brown (knee) is unlikely to travel despite continuing his recovery from an injury that has seen him on the sidelines since January 2012 while Danny Rose and Carlos Cuellar are also expected to miss out.

Steven Fletcher is set to make his return from illness at the DW Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

  DID YOU KNOW?

  • Wigan have conceded 40 top-flight goals so far this season, the third worst tally in the Premier League.
  • Jordi Gomez (pictured right) has cemented himself as the Latics' top goalscorer so far this campaign with six goals.
  • The hosts have the second-worst home form in the Premier League, taking only nine points from 11 games at the DW Stadium.
  • Sunderland have won three out of their last six Premier League clashes against Wigan, with the last outing ending 1-0 in the Black Cats' favour last September.
  • Steven Fletcher has established himself as top goalscorer for Martin O'Neill side this season, with eight top-flight goals so far.
  • The visitors have scored 24 goals and conceded 29 times this campaign.
  • Martin O'Neill's side have the 10th best away form in the division, having taken 10 points from 11 games on the road.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Wigan Athletic 1-2 Sunderland
    19.36 %
  • Wigan Athletic 1-1 Sunderland
    12.1 %
  • Wigan Athletic 2-1 Sunderland
    7.26 %
Head to Head
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 19 Jan 2013 Wigan Athletic 2 - Sunderland 3
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 29 Sep 2012 Sunderland 1 - Wigan Athletic 0
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 3 Jan 2012 Wigan Athletic 1 - Sunderland 4
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 26 Nov 2011 Sunderland 1 - Wigan Athletic 2
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 23 Apr 2011 Sunderland 4 - Wigan Athletic 2
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Last Five Matches
Wigan Athletic
19 May 2013Wigan Athletic 2 - Aston Villa 2EPL
14 May 2013Arsenal FC 4 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
11 May 2013Manchester City 0 - Wigan Athletic 1FA
7 May 2013Wigan Athletic 2 - Swansea City 3EPL
4 May 2013West Bromwich Albion 2 - Wigan Athletic 3EPL
Sunderland
19 May 2013Tottenham 1 - Sunderland 0EPL
12 May 2013Sunderland 1 - Southampton 1EPL
6 May 2013Sunderland 1 - Stoke City 1EPL
29 Apr 2013Aston Villa 6 - Sunderland 1EPL
20 Apr 2013Sunderland 1 - Everton 0EPL
Odds
Returns: Wigan £510.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Draw £70.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Sunderland £35.00 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Team News
Available Squads
26Ali Al HabsiGoalkeeper
5Gary CaldwellDefender
17Emmerson BoyceDefender
23Ronnie StamDefender
31Maynor FigueroaDefender
4James McCarthyMidfielder
14Jordi GómezMidfielder
16James McArthurMidfielder
22Jean BeausejourMidfielder
9Franco Di SantoStriker
10Shaun MaloneyStriker
27JoelGoalkeeper
35Román GolobartDefender
6David JonesMidfielder
-R. EspinozaMidfielder
-Ángelo HenríquezStriker
15Callum McManamanStriker
-Mauro BoselliStriker
22Simon MignoletGoalkeeper
16John O'SheaDefender
19Titus BrambleDefender
29Alfred N'diayeMidfielder
7Sebastian LarssonMidfielder
8Craig GardnerMidfielder
14Jack ColbackMidfielder
15David VaughanMidfielder
11Adam JohnsonMidfielder
28Stéphane SessegnonMidfielder
26Steven FletcherStriker
20Keiren WestwoodGoalkeeper
2Phil BardsleyDefender
27Matthew Kilgallon Defender
23James McCleanMidfielder
27Ahmed El MohamadyMidfielder
10Connor WickhamStriker
16James McFaddenStriker
Players to Watch
Franco Di Santo
Franco Di Santo
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 9
Games Goals YC RC
35 5 5 0
The Argentine produced an impressive performance during his side's 1-1 draw with Fulham last time out, with the 23-year-old pulling off an equaliser for the Latics with just 20 minutes left.

Di Santo has impressed boss Roberto Martinez, who has expressed his determination to keep the striker at the DW Stadium during the January transfer window.

The forward has scored four goals in 21 Premier League appearances for Wigan so far this campaign, with the former Chelsea player looking to break into a fine run of form towards the end of the season.
James McClean
James McClean
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 23
Games Goals YC RC
36 2 4 0
The Republic of Ireland international has proved to be a source of optimism for Sunderland this season.

The 23-year-old has scored five times in 27 appearances for the Black Cats so far this campaign, with the Derry-born midfielder's strengths as a wideman consistently proving to be a problem for the opposition.
Prediction
Roberto Martinez will be looking to guide his Wigan side into a New Year stretch of Premier League fixtures that has historically played in his favour. The Latics' attack will be heavily focused on Shaun Maloney and Franco Di Santo to provide a steady flow of opportunities on the opposing goal.

Sunderland, however, will be hoping to find a level of consistency that they have not been able to capture thus far. The visitors are in the top 10 for recent form, while Wigan have the worst run in the past eight games and it should be an away win.
Editor's Prediction
Wigan 1
Sunderland 2
Results
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