Birmingham City v Wigan Athletic
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 27th February 2010, Kick Off 3.00pm
St. Andrews, Birmingham
Tickets
Tickets are available until 3.00pm from the DW Stadium ticket office and from St. Andrews on the day of the game.Call the Wigan ticket office on 0871 66 33 552.Please note that the DW Stadium ticket office is closed on Saturday.
Watch
See Roberto Martinez talking about the game. [watch]
See Mario Melchiot on visiting his old club. [watch]
Wigan v Spurs highlights. [watch]
Listen
Listen to full match commentary from 2.45pm with your commentary team of Graham Lovett and Paul Chialton.Text your comments during the game to 07874 123 993.
Preview
Wigan travel to St. Andrew's this Saturday knowing a win will put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.With Bolton taking on Wolves at the Reebok Stadium, and Burnley hosting bottom club Portsmouth, something has got to give.Birmingham hasn't been a happy hunting ground during the Premier League era for Latics have suffered a 3-2 defeat in the first season and a 2-0 defeat Last time the two sides met there when Steve Bruce was in charge of the Blues, Jermaine Pennant and a certain Mario Melchiot on target that day.
Team News
Wigan will wait to check on the fitness of Titus Bramble (Hamstring) and James McCarthy (ankle).The young Scot, recently called up to the Republic of Ireland squad to face Brazil, suffered the ankle injury in training on Wednesday.
Birmingham midfielder Barry Ferguson is believed to be winning his battle to be fit for Saturday, the former Rangers Captain limped off the field during the closing stages of the Blues defeat to Fulham last weekend.
The Manager
Speaking ahead of this weekend's clash, manager Roberto Martinez is looking to recreate the performance from the first half in the reverse fixture.
"When look back to when we played Birmingham here at the DW, our first-half performance was as good as any we've produced all season, and we have enough chances to win that game. Then in the second-half we couldn't handle their pressure, got punished from a free-kick and we were very unfortunate no to get anything from the game.
"But without a doubt Birmingham have been the surprise package this season, and rightly so. To go on the run they did and show that kind of consistency in the Premier League proves how outstanding a season they're having with a group of player who have been working together for a long time.
"They have a great team ethic and are tough opposition for anyone on their day."
Last Line Ups
Birmingham (v Fulham (A) L2-1): Hart, Ridgewell, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Bowyer, Fahey, Larsson (Gardner, 68), Ferguson(Madera, 89), Jerome (Phillips, 77), McFadden.
Subs: Maik Taylor, Benitez, Vignal, Parnaby.
Latics (v Tottenham (H) L0-3):Kirkland, Caldwell, Scharner, Melchiot, Figueroa, N'Zogbia, Diame, McCarthy, Thomas (Moses, 56), Rodallega, Moreno (Sinclair, 76).
Subs: Watson, Scotland, Boyce, Stojkovic, Gomez.
Head To Head
|
|
B'ham Wins |
Draws |
Latics Wins |
|
League |
3 |
5 |
3 |
|
FA Cup |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
4 |
5 |
3 |
Last Five Results
05/12/09 - Premier League - Latics 2 Birmingham 3
05/04/08 - Premier League - Latics 2 Birmingham 0
27/10/07 - Premier League - Birmingham 3 Latics 2
08/04/06 - Premier League - Latics 1 Birmingham 1
02/01/06 - Premier League - Birmingham 2 Latics 0
Goal Scorers
Birmingham:
Lee Bowyer - 6 (5 League)
Cameron Jerome - 5 (5 League)
Latics:
Hugo Rodallega - 7 (7 League)
Charles N'Zogbia - 6 (4 League)
Officials
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistants: Trevor Massey & Phil Sharp
4th Official: Steve Bennett
This game will be Anthony Taylor's 2nd Premier League game. His first was Fulham's 1-0 win over Portsmouth at Craven Cottage at the beginning of February.
Next Match
Latics v Liverpool
Barclays Premier League
Monday 8th March, 8.00pm
DW Stadium, Wigan
