Latics vs Potters preview

The snow may be all around Stoke, but the good news is that Wigan has been largely snow-free all week so (barring any late flurries) there should be no problems for Potters fans travelling north on Saturday.

Stoke will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to five matches after last weekend's draw against Man City, whilst Wigan will want to bounce back from three consecutive defeats on the road (including last weekend's 3-1 Hammering at Upton Park) and will see their first home match for three weeks as a good opportunity to pull out of the relegation zone.

Wigan's recent away form may have been dire, but at home they're four games unbeaten in the league and that's something that Matty Etherington says that Tony Pulis has been drumming into them. 'We have done really well recently, and things seem to have clicked. We know we can't afford to take our foot off the gas, the manager is making sure we stay level headed.' he told the official site.

Hugo Rodallega is suspended, whilst fellow striker Victor Moses could be out for three months with a dislocated shoulder sustained during their mid-week Carling Cup defeat at Arsenal

With their leading scorer suspended, it's down to the French left winger who's scored four goals so far this season, despite the Latics having tried to off load him to Birmingham in the summer only to see the player fail to agree terms.

Stoke will be without Marc Wilson after he picked up a one match suspension along with his 5th yellow card last weekend. Ricardo Fuller is a doubt with a niggling shoulder injury that has plagued him since he dislocated it earlier in the season. Jermaine Pennant is another doubt as he struggles to return to full fitness.

What more can you say? Matty's performances and two goals in the last two games have epitomised Stoke's recent return to form and his equaliser last week with just seconds to go was justice for the Potters who had dominated most of the game - despite what Mancini might have you think.

Mike Jones

Saturday 11th Dec: Blackpool (home) kick-off: 3pm

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