Latics v Stoke Preview

Following last weeks great result at Anfield we really do need to back it up with our first back to back win of the season and our first home win since August, Stoke could, hopefully, be on the end of a Latics performance that sees us climb out of the bottom three by claiming all the points.

Performances of late have been very good but still that elusive home win is hanging heavy, we need to put that to bed today

Stoke are mid-table and safe, manager Tony Pulis is worried that his players will become complacent so expect them to be fired up by the firebrand manager, but I still believe we will have too much, has to be a home win

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'They are a good team who are going to be full of confidence and they are going to come here and try to impose themselves.

'I expect a very strong Stoke City group of players.'

'There has been a lot said about their affectivity at set-plays but they have got much more now.

'They play some fantastic phases of play and have got talented players who can score out of nothing, as we have seen.

'But we know what to expect.'

Stoke boss Tony Pulis:

'The most important thing for us is that the players realise that irrespective of our position in the league, or what we have done or haven't done, you have to turn up and give it your best.'

Victor Moses has recovered from his facial injury that he recieved least week, but the news on Rodallega and Diame is they are rated 50/50

Latics probable - Al-Habsi, Boyce, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa, Beausejour, McArthur, McCarthy, Maloney, Moses, Di Santo

Maloney has been fantastic since getting his chance in the team during March

Shaun Maloney - Adding spark to the Latics attack

By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Woodgate and Huth have shaken off their injuries and Fuller is available again after serving a three match ban

Stoke from - Begovic, Huth, Wilkinson, Wilson , Shawcross, Whelan, Etherington, Palacios, Whitehead, Walters, Jerome, Pennant, Crouch, Jones, Woodgate, Fuller

Ex-Latic, fantastic talent, we all know about Wilson

Latics and Stoke have met 26 times

Latics have 6 wins, Stoke 10, draws 10

Last Six Meetings

31/12/2011 - Premier League - Stoke 2 Latics 2
22/05/2011 - Premier League - Stoke 0 Latics 1
04/12/2010 - Premier League - Latics 2 Stoke 2
09/02/2010 - Premier League - Latics 1 Stoke 1
12/12/2009 - Premier League - Stoke 2 Latics 2
16/05/2009 - Premier League - Stoke 2 Latics 0

Mark Clattenburg (Consett)

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

Mark Clattenburg Card Watch 2011/12

Games - 29, yellows - 86, reds - 6

Head says it'll be very close, possibly 1-1

Heart says forget that, 2-0 Latics win C'MON!

Premier League

Chelsea v Latics
Stamford Bridge
Saturday
7/04/12
3pm

Latics v Manchester United
DW Stadium
Wednesday
11/04/12
7:45pm













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