Preview: Latics open Cottagers door to safety?

Last updated : 15 March 2007 By Liam Cooper
Out of all the Premiership sides, Fulham are the club who Wigan have faced
Boys are back in town: Scharner, 'Arry & Camara return
the most in the league. Both clubs have had similar experiences, coming from the depths of the old Division three to join the countries elite.

Since joining Fulham in the top flight (The Cottager's won promotion back in 2003) there have been three league meetings between the sides, all ending 1-0. Last season both sides won their home ties. This campaign, the Latics won the game at Craven Cottage thanks to a solitary Henri Camara strike late on.

And with key players Henri Camara, Paul Scharner and team captain 'Arry De Zeeuw all back for Saturday, Wigan could complete their second double of the season. (Manchester City was the first and only current double)

With the good, comes the bad however, with Lee McCulloch and Leighton Baines suspended, Emmerson Boyce out with broken ribs; Jewell knows Saturday will be a hard, but winneable game.

He said: "While it will be difficult, I feel this game is winnable, although Fulham will be thinking the same thing."

Joker of the pack: Bullard misses return to former club
De Zeeuw is expected to retake his place in the first eleven in Emmerson Boyce's absence, while David Unsworth fills in at left-back. Kevin 'Killer' Kilbane is the obvious (sadly) option on the left whilst Henri Camara and Paul Scharner could make the bench.

One player De Zeeuw won't have to contend with is former Wigan favourite and joker of the pack Jimmy Bullard, who misses Saturday's clash. Bullard is still recovering from a horrific knee injury which will keep him out until pre-season.

Fulham have an awful away record, winning just once on the road away at Newcastle. Since the turn of the year, Fulham have won just one game in eight Premiership games, a run which has seen them get dragged closer to the relegation scrap.

Victory on Saturday could see Wigan safe, and Jimmy Bullard looking nervously at that trap door.

Ones to watch

Fulham have some good attacking players, but players who are too inconsistent. On their day, former Wigan target Heidur Helguson, Radzinski McBride and Montella can be match winners. McBride in particular, is a major threat.

Pundits Prediction

Mark Lawrenson has caught on that Wigan tendto win 1-0, and has gone for a 1-0 home win.

My Prediction

A third Premiership win and relegation fears put to bed.

Latics 1 Cottagers 0