da wazamba： Wigan travel to the Britannia Stadium on New Years Eve desperate to haul themselves to safety with victory against Stoke who are still chasing a top seven spot.
da dobrowin： The Potters have failed to win or score in their last two games against Manchester City and Aston Villa but are still within touching distance of the Europa League places. Before then Tony Pulis’ side had won four in a row to arrest a slide that had threatened to drag them towards danger. However their break from European action has allowed Pulis to play with a settled starting eleven as opposed to the rotation policy adopted to keep his players fresh following their trips around the continent. The return to form of players like Peter Crouch and Matthew Etherington has been key during December with both amongst the goals in victories over Blackburn, Wolves and Tottenham. Getting back to winning ways against Wigan before the end of the year will be imperative to ensure they don’t fall back into the slump that threatened their aspirations of achieving a top seven place in 2012.
Roberto Martinez’s men are also desperate for three points to put them in with a shout of finishing 2011 outside of the relegation zone. Two defeats in the last seven has given the Latics an excellent chance of pulling themselves away from danger with only Manchester United and Arsenel beating them during December. Holding Chelsea and Liverpool at the DW Stadium has visibly lifted the confidence amongst the players and they’ll be confident of taking something off Stoke at the Britannia. Wigan lie just two points below Wolves and they know a win could move them above Mick McCarthy’s side before 2012 rears it’s head. Martinez will surely be looking to Victor Moses, Jordi Gomez and Ali Al Habsi to maintain their fine Christmas form against the Potters and kick start their survival bid.
Stoke City 8th : 25 points
Team news: Robert Huth, Peter Crouch and Glenn Whelan are all doubts for the visit of Wigan whilst Ricardo Fuller could return from an ankle injury.
Key Player: Peter Crouch
The former Tottenham striker has finally started to find his form in a Stoke shirt playing a pivotal road in their revival in the last few months. Crouch has slotted into the Potters side with ease since his move from North London but is just starting to show supporters just how good a striker is and he’ll be key to securing victory on New Years Eve.
Wigan Athletic 18th : 14 points
Team news: Connor Sammon is suspended following his sending off at Manchester United whilst Emmerson Boyce is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Key Player: Jordi Gomez
After a few mediocre seasons at the DW Stadium the Spaniard has been in blistering form during the current campaign scoring four times since mid-November. His intelligent play out wide and in behind the striker is key to the way Wigan attack and he’ll be key to achieving victory over Stoke.
PREDICTION
Stoke have played failed to win their last two despite playing well whilst Wigan were hammered by Manchester United on Boxing Day. However both teams are full of confidence and will go into the game knowing they are capable of bagging three points.
Score: 1-1
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