Latics v Liverpool Preview

With the visit of an indifferent Liverpool, Latics will try and get back some form following two defeats that have seen Martinez`s side slip into the bottom three.

A poor display at Fulham was followed up by a much better performance at Blackburn on Saturday in a game that, barring bad luck and poor refereeing, should have seen the Latics win at a canter.

Carry that performance into tonight`s game against Liverpool and a repeat of last seasons win over the illustrious neighbours from up the road might just be on the cards.

Liverpool have played poorly all season, though they also put in a good performance at the weekend that saw them beat table toppers Chelsea, the question is can they get fired up to the same heights to face the Latics.

Martinez has a selection headache, with both Gohouri and Boyce out it looks like Ronnie Stam will drop from midfield and fill in at right back, who will come in to replace Stam in the middle though is the question.

Tom Cleverley could be on for a start playing in front of Stam or Martinez may decide to put Hugo Rodallega there and bring Di Santo into the starting line-up, either way it should be an exciting and entertaining game with a good atmosphere.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'It is probably the worst moment to play them`

'Liverpool are playing with huge energy and confidence - they were a joy to watch against Chelsea and you can start to see Roy Hodgson`s hand on that side.

'But we are ready and we are hurt from what happened at the weekend.`

Liverpool bos Roy Hodgson:

'If we can do well in the next two games we'll continue to look up'

'If we were to have a couple of set-backs, once again we'll be looking down; I speak for a large number of teams when I say that.

'It's so tight between the team that's third bottom and the team that's in fifth place; two results are going to make all the difference.'

James McCarthy is a long term casualty, Emmerson Boyce is still out injured and Steve Gohouri is suspended after picking up 5 yellows

Latics probable:

Al-Habsi, Stam, G. Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Thomas, Diame, Gomez, N'Zogbia, Rodallega, Di Santo.

Latics leading goal scorer and class act

Liverpool from:

Reina, Konchesky, Carragher, Skrtel, Kelly, Rodriguez, Gerrard, Raul Meireles, Spearing, Lucas, Kuyt, Shelvey, Torres, Ngog, Jovanovic, Hansen, Wilson, Poulsen.

Two goals at the weekend sees the striker coming into form at the wrong time

Latics and Liverpool have faced each other on 12 previous occasions.

Latics have 1 win, Liverpool 9, draws 2.

Last Six Meetings

08/03/2010 - Prem - Latics 1 Liverpool 0 (Rodallega 35')
16/12/2009 - Prem - Liverpool 2 Latics 1 (N'Zogbia 90')
28/01/2009 - Prem - Latics 1 Liverpool 1(Mido 83' Pen)
18/10/2008 - Prem - Liverpool 3 Latics 2 (Zaki 29', 45')
02/01/2008 - Prem - Liverpool 1 Latics 1 (Bramble80')
29/09/2007 - Prem - Latics 0 Liverpool 1

Peter Walton (Northants)

Why not take a look at our excellent 'Meet the Ref' article

Card Watch
Games - 7, Yellows - 25, Reds - 3

Head says 1-1 draw

Heart says 2-1 Latics win, as always go with the heart

Premier League

Latics v West Brom
DW Stadium
Saturday 13/11/10
3pm

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