Wigan Athletic v Liverpool – Match Preview

Revitalised Wigan will be hoping to secure another top six scalp when they welcome in-form Liverpool to the DW Stadium on Wednesday night.

Only last month the Latics were dead certs for relegation lying rock bottom of the Premier League following a run of eight consecutive defeats and all hope for survival looked lost. However a 3-3 draw with fellow strugglers Blackburn and late away win at Sunderland saw optimism renewed and eight points from a possible 15 has given them a fighting chance of extending their stay in the top flight. Performances have steadily improved since the start of November and their rise to within a point of safety has given credence to chairman Dave Whelan’s decision to stick with manager Roberto Martinez despite their disastrous start to the campaign. The Spaniard has slowly started to turn things around in the North West with his brand of slick passing football ultimately paying dividends. Their strength of character has also been a major factor in their renaissance with their refusal to lay down and accept defeat seeing them score late on to snatch a draw against Chelsea. The improved form of players like Victor Moses, Jordi Gomez and Hugo Rodallega has come at the right time for the Latics who will be confident of sending another top flight giant away from the DW with some deep wounds to lick.

Liverpool will be hoping to avoid such a fate and keep up their challenge for a Champions League place by beating the Latics. The Reds have been in excellent form since the end of September losing just once in 11 games winning six of those. 12 months ago the club were heading in the opposite direction under Roy Hodgson and were in danger of becoming embroiled in a relegation battle. The return of Kenny Dalglish to the dugout coincided with a sensational upturn in form that saw them finish the season in sixth place. Dalglish spent heavily in the summer and looks destined to take the club even further this season with the likes of Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Craig Bellamy all playing key roles since their arrival on Merseyside. January acquisition Luis Suarez has also proved to be a shrewd signing with the Uruguayan becoming Liverpool’s prime attacking threat striking fear into Premier League defences the length and breadth of the country. He’ll be a huge miss after being banned for eight games following after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Wigan 18^th : 13 points

Team news: The Latics go into the game with no new injuries to worry about with Chris Kirkland the only player sidelines.

Key Player: Jordi Gomez

Coming in from the shadows Gomez has become a vital cog in Wigan’s impressive form of late scoring four in five games including decisive goals against Sunderland and Chelsea. The Spaniard is full of confidence at the moment that will stand him in good stead going into the game against the high-flying Reds.

Liverpool 6^th :  29 points

Team news: Liverpool are still without the suspended Jay Spearing along with injured duo Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard. That means Jordan Henderson is likely to keep his place in the starting eleven.

Key Player: Charlie Adam

The Scottish midfielder has stepped up his game this season since making the move to Anfield and filling the hole left by Steven Gerrards continued absence through injury. Adam’s passing range and tenacious tackling in midfield has been a massive bonus and he’ll be key to Liverpool’s hopes of winning at the DW.

PREDICTION

Wigan’s spirits have been raised considerably off the back of their recent upturn in form but they should be wary of becoming overconfident against Liverpool. The Reds are purring at the moment and should have enough to see off the Latics and continue their charge towards the top four

Score: 1-3