Wigan Athletic v Blackburn Rovers
DW Stadium, Wigan
Saturday 26th December 2009
Kick Off 3.00pm
Tickets
The ticket office will open on Boxing Day from 10.00am and tickets are available up until kick off at 3.00pm. No tickets are available on the day for Away Supporters.
Watch
See Roberto Martinez's pre-match interview on Latics Player here.
See highlights of the game from Midnight Sunday on Latcis Player.
Listen
If you can't make the game, there's full match commentary on Latics Player from 2.45pm with your commentary team of Graham Lovett and Neill Rimmer. If you're not already a Latics Player subscriber you sign up here.
Preview
In all four games in the last two season, it's the home team who have come out on top in this fixture, and the game always produces goal. Drama is also never far away from this fixture, last year turned out to be Paul Ince's last game in charge at Rovers. The previous season's game saw 8 goals, including two hat-tricks.
Much of the build to this one has surrounded the weather and the amount of snow and ice surrounding the DW Stadium, there are also two teams coming into this game who are both looking for a win to warm their hearts.
Blackburn have found the net just once in their last six league games, failing to win any of them, although there is a very credible 0-0 draw with Liverpool and a League Cup penalty victory over Chelsea in there too. Meanwhile Latics have a slightly better last six record with one win, two draws and three defeats.
The Manager
Speaking ahead of the local-derby Manager Roberto Martinez outlined where he sees Rovers' main threats coming from in what he believes will be an exciting encounter.
"They (Blackburn) are a very competitive side, and they'll look to come here in search of a win. I think it will be a very open game, but they do restrict teams to very little, they're organised, strong and they can score goals from out of nowhere, said Martinez.
"They also have a huge threat from dead-ball situations and we'll have to be aware of that. The concentration levels from set-pieces are vital, but we've been tested on that this season, more recently against Stoke City, and we've showed that we can cope with that.
"Overall, I'm sure it will be an exciting game to watch between two teams looking for a win."
Team News
Wigan Athletic Manager Roberto Martinez still has the absence of Mohamed Diame to contend with, but that is his only injury worry.
Blackburn could welcome back Chris Samba and Bret Emmerton, the latter having recovered from a groin strain and Samba having gotten over a stomach bug. Sam Allardyce will however be without midfielders David Dunn (calf) and Vince Grella (thigh).
Head to Head
| |
Latics wins |
Draws |
Rovers wins |
| League |
2 |
1 |
5 |
| FA Cup |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| League Cup |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| Total |
2 |
1 |
9 |
Last Five Meetings
26/04/09 - Premier League - Blackburn 2 Latics 0
13/12/08 - Premier League - Latics 3 Blackburn 0
22/03/08 - Premier League - Blackburn 3 Latics 1
15/12/07 - Premier League - Latics 5 Blackburn 3
01/01/07 - Premier League - 0 Latics Blackburn 3
Top Scores
Wigan: Hugo Rodallega : 6 goals (6 league)
Blackburn: David Dunn: 6 goals (5 league)
Statathon
The Latics have won every game Hugo Rodallega has scored in this season.
Blackburn are looking for their first win in seven games.
Blackburn are unbeaten on Boxing Day in the last seven years, they last lost on Boxing Day in 2001 to Sunderland.
Match Officials
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Assistants: Jeremy Simpson & Dave Bryan
4th Official: Alan Wiley
Next Game
Wigan Athletic v Hull City
FA Cup Third Round sponsored by eon.
DW Stadium, Wigan
Saturday 2nd January 2009, Kick Off 3.00pm
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