Latics Vs Spurs Preview

Wigan Athletic are set to embark on their reverse fixture with Spurs and anyone who tells you that the first game and the 9-1 thumping that the Latics received has no bearing on this game isn`t telling the truth, well I hope they aren`t.

Revenge is may be too strong a word and could distract from the tactics but surely the players in the Latics team will be working doubly hard to ensure that they can put the embarrassment of that day firmly behind them.

Two of the main characters from back in November, Aaron Lennon and Erik Edman wont be playing today, Lennon is just about to recover from injury but wont be risked though he has been missed by Spurs and Edman has left the Latics and returned to Sweden, I hear he is still having cold sweats thinking about that day.

So the Latics come into the game off the back of three successive draws looking nervously over their shoulders at the bottom three knowing a win will lift them up to the relative comfort of 13th spot.

Spurs are also chasing a higher league position and like the Latics their form isn`t blazing a trail at the moment with just one win in six severely denting their top 4 ambitions.

So both clubs have a great deal to play for but for the Latics revenge is a dish best served cold and today is bloody freezing and snowing, could be a good omen.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'The quality Spurs have in their ranks is very clear. They have world-class players so you can't single out any one player to be aware of.

'Their squad is good enough to go anywhere and be competitive so we know it'll be a tough game, but at home with the support of our fans we need to take the initiative, be brave and fight for the three points.'

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp:

'That was a one-off game. We had a good day and everything went right for us, whereas nothing went right for them. It was a freakish result and they don't happen very often.

'My players won't be complacent. That result was forgotten as soon as the game was over, and we were concentrating on the next game.

'This is a completely different game and it will be a tough one at Wigan because they're a good side. They will be out to get a result the same as every week, not necessarily for revenge.'

Titus Bramble is struggling with a hamstring injury and will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness.

Latics from:

Kirkland, Melchiot, Caldwell, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa, Scharner, N'Zogbia, Diame, Thomas, McCarthy, Rodallega, Moreno, Moses, Scotland, Sinclair, Stoijkovic, Gomez, Koumas, Watson.

Little Charlie has been in fantastic form this season and in Wednesdays game against Bolton he was once again the stand out player

Assou-Ekotto, Cudicini, Lennon & Woodgate are all out, Jenas is a doubt with a graoin injury.

Spurs from:

Gomes, Alnwick, Corluka, K Walker, Bale, Bassong, Dawson, King, Kaboul, Palacios, Jenas, Huddlestone, Modric, Kranjcar, Bentley, Rose, Pavlyuchenko, Gudjohnsen, Defoe, Crouch.

The return 'home' of Wilson will be an emotional affair for him, we know how good he is, he is definitely the one to watch

Latics and Spurs have met on 10 previous occasions

Latics 1 win, Spurs 5, draws 4

Last Five Results

22/11/09 - Premier League - Spurs 9 Latics 1
11/01/09 - Premier League - Latics 1 Spurs 0
02/01/09 - FA Cup - Spurs 3 Latics 1
19/04/08 - Premier League - Latics 1 Spurs 1
11/11/07 - Premier League - Spurs 4 Latics 0

Alan Wiley (Burtonwood, Staffs) There is a cracking meet the ref article, it can be accessed by clicking here, is a good read

Heart says 2-1 Latics win

Head says 1-1 draw

Premier League

Birmingham City v Latics
St.Andrews
Saturday 27/02/10 3pm

Latics Vs Liverpool
DW Stadium
Monday 8/03/10 8pm

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