Preview: Wigan vs WBA

Last updated : 09 November 2012 By Wba-mad Editor

After being dominated by the hosts all game, Youssouf Mulumbu laid it on a plate for Peter Odemwingie to score the decisive goal and earn Albion a historic win. This was Anfield on Sunday 22 April 2012. The date the Baggies last won a Premier League away match. They will be looking to amend that record when they visit the DW Stadium on Saturday. 

But Wigan is not a team that will roll over easily as perhaps they used to. An impressive end to the season and victories over Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United saw them survive last campaign, at the expense of Blackburn who they ultimately sent down on a wet Monday night. 

Roberto Martinez was persuaded to stay in the summer despite calls for him to take over the on red half of Merseyside, and he is still held in high esteem by many for his positive approach to the sport. The Latics will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce after seeing off West Ham and Tottenham in their previous two outings - not particularly familiar territory for the Lancashire side, who said goodbye to influential trio Victor Moses, Hugo Rodallega and Mohammed Diame in August.

But Albion have their own incentives, primarily to build on the comfortable victory over Southampton on Monday evening, and also especially with the champions of Europe Chelsea travelling to the Hawthorns next Saturday.

Perhaps not the most highly anticipated match on the fixture list at the beginning of the season, but these two sides have made excellent starts to their campaigns and will look to continue that here. Nowadays it can be classed as your average Premier League meeting, an idea that both sets of fans will welcome with open arms.

Team News

Wigan will once again have to make do without wide duo Ryo Miyaichi and Albert Crusat, the pair suffering from groin and knee problems respectively. James McArthur is rated at 50/50 after suffering a dead leg.

Albion's main concern is over goalkeeper Ben Foster, who is rated 60/40 after travelling to Germany midweek to have a groin problem inspected. The former England stopper was restricted to kicking with his weaker right foot in the win over Southampton on Monday. Boaz Myhill is on standby to deputise.

James Morrison and Steven Reid have both returned to full training, the latter a precaution and fans can expect Billy Jones to continue at right back. Jerome Thomas may also make the bench, the winger yet to make an appearance this season due to injury.

Match Stats

- The Baggies don't tend to enjoy playing the Latics, drawing two (2-2 Odemwingie, Fortune; N'Zogbia, Watson and 1-1 McArthur; Scharner) and losing two (1-0 Moses and 1-2 Reid; Moses, Gomez pen.) of their last four Premier League meetings.

- The Baggies last won at the DW (or JJB!) stadium in 2006, Martin Albrechtsen scoring the solitary goal that day. Albion also won 3-1 at the Hawthorns in 2009, the day Hugo Rodallega scored his first Latics goal.

- Albion have picked up two points from four away games this season (1-1 draws at Tottenham and Aston Villa, 3-0 and 2-1 defeats to Fulham and Newcastle).

-Wigan's two away victories at Southampton and Spurs have been paired with clean sheets (0-2,0-1).

- West Brom have managed four shut outs of their own this season - all at home (Liverpool, Everton, Reading and Southampton).

Prediction:

This is a game I am looking forward to immensely, two sides that play good football, the home side good in possession, the visitors defensively solid and dangerous on the counter attack. I think there will be goals! 2-2. 

What do you think the score will be tomorrow? Have your say here at Baggies Banter