Manchester City v Wigan Athletic
City of Manchester Stadium, Eastlands
Monday 29th March 2010, Kick Off 8.00pm
Tickets
Tickets for the game are on sale from the DW Stadium ticket office until 12 noon on Monday with tickets also avaialable on the night from Eastlands. [Click Here] for full ticket details.
Watch
See Roberto Martinez pre-match interview. [watch]
See highlights of Latics' 1-0 win over Burnley. [watch]
See Paul Scharner's thoughts on City. [watch]
Listen
Catch full match commentary from the game on Latics from 7.45pm on Monday evening with your commentary team of Graham Lovett and Paul Chialton. If you're not already a Latics Player subscriber, you can get instant access by [clicking here].
Preview
It's a game that is being billed as the the 'Battle of the Roberto M's'. The Italian flare of Mancini versus the Spanish tactician Martinez. Truth be known, they may be making the selections and decisions, but without doubt, the game will be won and lost on the pitch and not on the touchline. There is also little doubt that the manager's neck wear may also be the focus of attention at some point during the evening. Although it must be said that Roberto Martinez wore a scarf on the touchline long before Mancini arrived in the Premier League.
On a serious note, it's a game that means so much to both teams for very different reason. City are looking to secure a top-four spot a need the points to stay in touch with Tottenham Hotspur while Wigan Athletic are looking to buy themselves some more breathing space after seeing the gap to Hull City narrow to just four points after Saturday's results.
Team News
INJURY DOUBT: Charles N'Zogbia is likely to miss out.
Manchester City will assess the fitness of Stephen Ireland after the midfielder suffered a shin injury in the 2-0 loss to Everton. Emmanuel Adebayor is once again avaiable after completing a four-match ban.
Wigan are likely to again be without Charles N'Zogbia, who is suffering with a hip problem.
Defender Emmerson Boyce is also suffering the same problem and will struggle to make the game.
Paul Scharner should be available having recovered from the thigh and neck injuries sustained in the same challenge by Michael Duff, in Latics' 1-0 win over Burnley.
The Manager
Wigan Athletic Manager Roberto Martinez is well aware of the damage an in-form Manchester City can inflict on a side but is also relishing the opportunity to put together back-to-back victories.
"Man City have plenty of strength in their side and different dimensions that can hurt you in many ways. If we want to compete against that and achieve that goal we'll have to be at our very best.
"Having played four games in 13 days meant that the extra two days we have available this weekend are vital to our preparation.
"From a physical point of view at this level it's almost impossible to replicate the same standards consecutively in such a short space of time, having this extra time will help us do that.
"When you play at home and get a good result like we did against Burnley there's always the danger that you'll drop your concentration a little bit the following week.
"We also know that after their defeat to Everton Man City will start the game bright and try to make amends for that result.
"But we're ready for the challenge and focused on what we need to between now and the end of the season.
"Getting back-to-back wins is a great challenge to look forward to and we have a chance of it on Monday night."
Head to Head
While Manchester City have the slight advantage overall, it's Latics who have by far had the better of this fixture in the Premier League years, winning five of the previous nine meetings. City's only win over Wigan in the Premier League was last season, a 1-0 win with Zabaleta's 53rd minute goal sealing the points. City's only other win came in the FA Cup, that also a narrow 1-0 victory.
The game also has a habit of producing goals, although the goals have generally come when played at Wigan, Latics twice having managed to bag four in a game. The most thrilling of those the Boxing Day game in 2005 which ended 4-3 to Latics. There has also been only one goalless draw in the Premier League.
| |
City Wins |
Draws |
Latics Wins |
| League |
3 |
3 |
5 |
| FA Cup |
2 |
0 |
0 |
| League Cup |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Other |
1 |
1 |
0 |
| Total |
7 |
5 |
6 |
Head to Head - Premier League Only
| |
City Wins |
Draws |
Latics Wins |
| Premier League |
1 |
3 |
5 |
Last Five Meetings
18/10/09 - Premier League - Latics 1 City 1
17/01/09 - Premier League - City 1 Latics 0
28/09/08 - Premier League - Latics 2 City 1
01/03/08 - Premier League - City 0 Latics 0
01/12/07 - Premier League - Latics 1 City 1
Top Marksmen
Man City: Carlos Tevez - 22 goals (16 league)
Wigan: Hugo Rodallega - 9 goals (9 league)
Stat Attack
A win for Wigan would be their first back-to-back win of the season.
Manchester City are yet to lose a game in which Carlos Tevez has scored.
City have failed to score in their last two games at home, having scored in each of their previous 22.
Wednesday's defeat to Everton was Man City's first home defeat of the season.
Wigan have only lost to Man City in the Premier League on one occasion.
Betting
Get a fre £25 bet with our principal sponsor
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Match Officials
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistant Referees: Andy Halliday & Phil Sharp
4th Official: Andre Marriner
Next Game
Fulham v Wigan Athletic
Barclays Premier League
Craven Cottage
Sunday 4th April, Kick off 3.00pm
[Ticket Details]
