Latics v Preston Preview

Latics renew old rivalries with Preston North End visiting the DW Stadium for the first time in a competitive game since December 2004 when Paul Jewells side ran out 5-0 winners in front of 10,565 fans.

The glamour of the Premier League has kept the two sides apart since and though North End have flirted with promotion it`s been the Latics that have been wallowing in the limelight for these past 6 seasons.

Roberto Martinez has stated that he will make some changes to freshen up the team and starts look set to be handed out to some of the players on the fringe of the squad, but even with changes the Latics should prove too strong for our Lancashire neighbours who are having a torrid time under the guidance of Darren Ferguson and they currently sit second from bottom in the table.

Cup games have a habit of upturning league form and Preston should be fired up to face the big boys in what promises to be a good game of cup football.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez

'Preston was always a real special fixture.'

'It was always very special for all the players and all the fans.

'They've always been really exciting encounters, they're normally very open will lots of action in both boxes and I don't expect it to be anything different on Wednesday

'So the excitement of the two rivals coming together in this sort of game, I think gives a lot of meaning to the League Cup.'

There is likely to be changes made has Martinez rotates his squad.

Latics possible

Kirkland, Stam, Gohouri, S. Caldwell, Figeroa, McArthur, Watson, Gomez, Moses, Di Santo, Boselli

The young striker looks set to start following his return from injury

New signing Iain Hume is pushing for his first start, Keith Treacy and Paul Coutts are both doubtful.

Preston from:

Lonergan, St. Ledger, Brown, Gray, Jones, Treacy, Hume, Barton, Parry, Mayor, Russell, Hayes, Brown, Parkin, Arestidou, Morgan, McLaughlin, Coutts, Mayor, Brown, Hume

Known has 'The Beast' Parkin is a big lad who knows where the goals are, could be a handful

Latics and Preston have met on 43 occassions

Latics 13 wins, Preston 16, draws 13

Jon Moss (West Yorkshire)

Card watch:

Games - 8, Yellows 16, Reds 3

Heart says 4-0 Latics win

Head says 2-0 Latics win

So Latics win it is then

Premier League

Birmingham City v Latics
St. Andrews
Saturday
25/09/10 3pm

Latics v Wolves
DW Stadium
Saturday
02/10/10 12:45pm

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