City v Latics Preview

Wigan Athletic travel to Manchester City this afternoon looking to remain the Premier League side with the current longest unbeaten run.

The season has started quite well for Roberto Martinez and his band of merry men, five points from the opening three games against tricky opposition in the three newly promoted sides sets the next phase of games up nicely, first of the next set of three though is probably one of the toughest games of the season, high spending and high flying City have started this campaign off in fine style, demolishing sides with aplomb so the Latics will have a difficult, but not impossible task to get something from the game.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'I think it is fair to say Manchester City, since they won the FA Cup, have gone into a different status'

'They have shown already this season they are title challengers.

'They will be expected to have another fantastic season, but for us we are expecting to have another fantastic season.

'Our aims are completely different but I am extremely proud of the achievements of Wigan Athletic. The excitement is to try to improve on that over the next 10 months.'

Gareth Barry is out but Nasri is fit to play despite suffering a broken finger.

City from:

Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Joleon Lescott, Aleksander Kolarov, Stefan Savic, Gael Clichy, Kolo Toure,James Milner, Adam Johnson, Samir Nasri, David Silva, Nigel De Jong, Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli,

On fire at the moment with seven goals so far this season

Antolin Alcaraz and Steve Gohouri both out injured

Latics possible:

Al-Habsi, Boyce, Lopez, Caldwell, Figueroa, Watson, Diame, McCarthy, Gomez, Moses, Rodallega, Di Santo

Two goals last time out, Franco will be looking to comtinue his good form


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

The Latics and City have met 21 times

Latics 6 wins, City 10, draws 5

Last Six Meetings

05/03/2011 - Premier League - Man City 1 Latics 0

9/09/2010 - Premier League - Latics 0 Man City 2

9/03/2010 - Premier League - Man City 3 Latics 0

8/10/2009 - Premier League - Latics 1 Man City 1

7/01/2009 - Premier League - Man City 1 Latics 0

8/10/2008 - Premier League - Latics 2 Man City 1

Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)

Why not take a look at our excellent Meet The Ref article

Martin Atkinson Card Watch 2011/12

Games - 4, yellows 21, reds 4...inspiring!

Head says City win 2-0

Heart says 1-1 draw, as always going with the heart

Carling Cup Rd 2

Crystal Palace v Latics
Selhurst Park
Tuesday
12/09/11
8pm

Premier League

Everton v Latics
Goodison Park
Saturday
17/09/11
3pm

Seconds Out! Vital Boxing is here!

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco