Latics Vs Baggies Preview

Wigan Athletic go into this afternoons game against West Brom hoping to make it five Premier League games without defeat and to record back to back victories for the first time since September 2007

Since their promotion West Brom have been noted for trying to do it the right way and play football, unfortunately for the Baggies this hasn`t worked and they are currently rooted to the foot of the table

The Latics need to be wary of West Brom who do play nice football but have trouble finding the net, lets hope that continues today.

With Zaki still out Lil` Henri should get a start following his match winning goal against Everton on Monday when he looked sharp after coming on at half-time for the ineffectual Olivier Kapo

4-4-2 is the Latics way and with Heskey and Camara we just might have the big-man little-man partnership that works well in that system

Just a cautionary note on the weather, it is quite misty at the moment - 9:50 am - and it looks like it could turn to fog at any time

Latics boss Steve Bruce:

'West Brom might be bottom of the league but they are within touching distance of the rest.

'We were in the bottom three last week - all of a sudden we win and we jump up a few places.

'Tony Mowbray has got West Brom in a position where they have won a few games and been competitive in the league.

'They are one of 12 or so clubs who are in there and if they can put together a few results they are capable of climbing up the league too.'

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray:

'If we weren't creating chances to score goals it would be more of a worry but we've created plenty of opportunities.

'I think we're doing all right and it's easy to kick the team that are down at the bottom.

'We'll go and give it just as much effort to try and get a positive result. It's another difficult game.

'Wigan are having a tough time themselves but when you look at their team they have got a lot of pace and experience in certain areas of the pitch.'

Emerson Boyce returns following suspension and Melchiot is reported as being 'fit' following his lay-off

Amr Zaki will be missing and it is a match too soon for Erik Edman who has been out for almost a year

Latics from:

Kirkland, Pollitt, Bramble, Boyce, Scharner, Figueroa, Melchiot, Taylor, Kilbane, De Ridder, Valencia, Palacios, Brown, Cattermole, Koumas, Kapo, Heskey, Camara, Cywka, Kupisz, Routledge.

With Zaki still being out Camara should get a start following his winning goal on Monday, Lil Henri has a lot to prove to Bruce, a goal or two today would help

James Morrison, Felipe Teixeira and Jonas Olsson are all expected to feature after shaking off injuries

West Brom from:

Carson, Kiely, Zuiverloon, Olsson, Meite, Robinson, Morrison, Koren, Greening, Valero, Blunt, Teixeira, Miller, Bednar, Hoefkens, Cech, Do-Heon, MacDonald, Moore, Pele, Dorrans, Donk.

Big physical forward with an eye for goal

Last meeting in Premier League:

Latics 0-1 WBA
15/1/2006

Total record of meetings:

Latics 3 wins, WBA 4, Draws 1

Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent)

Card watch:

Games - 9
Yellows - 27
Reds - 1

Not refereed the Latics since that infamous game at the Emirates when Jewell had a rant

Heart says easy Latics win 3-0

Head says nervy 1-0 Latics win

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