Rob's Prediction: Wigan V Liverpool

Wigan welcome Liverpool to the DW Stadium in what promises to be an entertaining yet difficult encounter for Roberto Martinez's side. All in all, I just cannot see how we can match the boys in Red, especially given the fact they are now revitalised.

Also, Wigan have been hit with injuries and Steve Gohouri is suspended. Liverpool have some injury concerns of their own but I think that this is going to be an incredibly hard game for the Latics to get anything from - I'm more interested in what happens at the weekend as that game is massive, without a shadow of a doubt whatsoever.

Fernando Torres has been in rich goal scoring form for Roy Hodgson's team and with Steven Gerrard also playing well, I fear that we could be in for a very tough night, but having said that, Wigan have been known to a spring a surprise when people have less expected it, so I'm not going to write our lads off, despite what I may believe.

However, I do believe that Liverpool will shade this game and despite the fact people say these games aren't easy, I must say that sometimes, people are just being kind and respectful because our team, since when compared to Liverpool, does not have the quality of Torres or Gerrard, but it does have passion and endeavour and we do have some good players who will give Liverpool problems. However, it is a shame that against a team like Liverpool, it is not going to be much less than a forelorn conclusion, I fear.

Wigan are going through a desperately bad patch and what's worse, I read that Roberto Martinez has won just 1/3 of his games since becoming the manager of Wigan and lost a staggering 25! That hardly instills me with confidence, which is why I think I'll check the result at 10pm tonight, I think, but I will be rooting for the lads to do well and I really hope we do one over on Liverpool so we can put the smiles back on our faces as likewise, so can the team.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we are a bad team, I just think Liverpool's quality will be too much for us which is why I say that sometimes, its kind when others say it won't be easy, because being brutally honest, I can't see Liverpool having too many problems, especially considering our own recent form and our injuries, also.

Wigan, though, do not often lose too heavily to the Reds. I can only recall 2 occasions where that has occurred and games recently at the DW have been close, including a special win last season so there is always cause for optimism amongst anything else, so despite the fact I believe Liverpool will win, I'm keeping the faith we can get a result. Do I personally think it will not be easy? I'm not sure, in all honesty, because its a difficult match to predict, given our own unpredictability.

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

With a heavy heart, I'm going to say that our problems are going to continue with a comfortable away win for Liverpool. Torres, I don't believe will score, but I think that Steven Gerrard might steal the show tonight. Their quality should be too much for Wigan to handle, but I don't believe that the Latics will roll over. I don't expect a high away score, but knowing us, anything can happen.

Wigan 0-2 Liverpool

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

'It's always darkest before the dawn,' as is the case for Wigan Athletic - that dawn shall appear soon. Patience is the key! Also a great win for Huddersfield last night in the Paint Trophy.

See you next time when I shall be previewing Wigan V West Brom.

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