Notts County Vs Wigan

First of all, I apologise as I mistakenly believed we had a Premier League game against Blackburn last Wednesday. An oversight, I'm afraid, but I shall keep the preview as it is and stick to my guns for a 1-1 draw.

On the weekend, the Latics travel to Notts County and we all know what shocks the game can throw up, especially in the cup. Notts County are on a decent run of form and will look at this as a major scalp and will be elated with a win.

Unfortunate for the Latics that they had suffered a shocking defeat to Blackpool earlier in the season for the Carling Cup. Despite the disappointing result, Blackpool deserved their win. Since then, it has been a season of mixed fortunes for the Latics.

The last cup escapade saw the Latics get a rich 4-1 victory over a disappointing Hull City side, but nobody will mind a jot about that as the Latics take on a Notts County side with one issue in mind - cause a cup upset.

I'm not sure where the upset may occur at the weekend (I pray its at Stoke v Arsenal) but I'm not sure if it will occur at Notts County. It all depends on what team Roberto puts out. If he's serious about the cup, he might put a middling side out. I think he should, in honesty, try and not risk the full first team seeing as we have a premier league game mid-week.

ROB'S PREDICTION
=================

I don't know what team Martinez will put out but Notts' biggest threat is their frontman, Lee Hughes. He can be a threat, but can he cope with the Latics? All depends on the team, is my thinking, that Roberto puts out. If its a middling team, I think the Latics will just overcome Notts County - I don't think by any means this will be a comfortable scoreline as the FA cup doesn't really throw up results like that regularly.

Notts County 0 Wigan Athletic 1

ROB'S FINAL THOUGHT
===================

I believe the bottom three will be Portsmouth, Hull and Wolves. Its such a shame to see what has happened to Portsmouth. Will they be able to recuperate from this massive setback they currently face? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, I expect a fairly strong second part of the season for the Latics and all being well, a sixth season in the top flight for the Latics. That'd be a great achievement.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.