Preview: Old friends & Foes Hoping for Revenge

Not only is it an important match for Liverpool in their attempt to break their away day hoodo, but Saturday afternoon's match at the JJB Stadium also has extra meaning for members of the Wigan squad, and the manager Paul Jewell as well.

Jewell was a trainee at Liverpool and was Kenny Dalglish's understudy, meaning he cleaned his boots among other things. The Wigan boss never

Kirkland: Hopes to keep clean sheet against former club

made the grade at Anfield and joined the Latics where he enjoyed a good degree of success, and later re-joining Wigan to begin their rise to the top flight.

Now in his sixth season as Wigan boss, Jewell returned to his former club in the summer to sign goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, whilst also strenghtening his links with Liverpool (on the playing side) by making Emile Heskey, a former Liverpool player of course, his record signing.

Jewell also made a raid on Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton to sign Kevin Kilbane on deadline day, whilst Left-Back and vice-captain Leighton Baines also has links on Merseyside.

The Wigan boss has warned his troops to be wary of a Liverpool backlash, and has also called for Emile Heskey to be more greedy up front.

"His (Heskey's) work rate, and the unselfish work he does for others is very good - although sometimes he does too much. Sometimes you wonder if he could be a bit more selfish. Perhaps he needs to be like that, a bit more greedy at times.

Heskey: Would love to score against former club

"Sometimes you think 'instead of looking for somebody, have a go yourself,' but that's the way he is. He is a team player, I'm delighted with him - and I know the rest of the players and the staff are as well."

Heskey could be thrusted back into the starting line-up this weekend, with Gary Teale being added to the injury list. Jewell must decide whether to bring in wingers Cotterill or Valencia, or place McCulloch back on the wings to make room for Heskey up front.

Defence is a major sticking point for Jewell also. Alot depends on whether Skipper Arjan De Zeeuw recovers from the toe injury that ruled him out last week. If he fails to recover, Fitz Hall could be recalled, with David Wright the most probable defender to drop out, with Boyce moving back to right-back.

Liverpool's injuries seem to grow every game. Zenden, Alonso, Aurelio, Warnock, Gonzalez, Alonso and Kewell (no surprise there though to be honest) are all injured, although Alonso and Aurelio have outside chances of makingthe bench, while Craig Bellamy is in contention after being found not guilty of attacking a woman.

Rafael Benitez's midfield will be make-shift to say the least, and if Wigan are ever going to beat one of the big clubs (they are yet to beat Chelsea, Liverpool, United or Arsenal in the Premiership), Saturday makrs their best bet to date.

Ones To Watch

Alot of the players to watch are injured, however Skipper Steven Gerrard, back in his preferred position in the centre of the park, is a real driving force and is a danger from long range. Strikers Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt are dangerous in the air while Craig Bellamy's pace is always a problem.

Pundits Prediction

Liverpool have yet to score more than once in an away game. So Mark Lawrenson says they will score two this weekend. In fairness he also thinks Wigan will score twice, with both sharing the spoils.

My Prediction

Without sounding defeatist. Wigan are well known for breaking other teams /players run of bad form. Strikers Crouch and Benjani (of Porstmouth) both broke their long scoring ducts with goals against Wigan and Gary Kelly scored his first goal in 350 games against us too. And worst of all, last season Arsenal recorded their first away victory of the season in a 3-2 victory. Despite the omens not shining brightly for Wigan, i believe we can get something out of this game.

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