Preview: Wigan Athletic Vs West Ham United

Wigan are winning the battle to finish as the highest promoted club this year. The Latics fidn themselves in eigth place with 46 points, compared to the Hammer's 42 points which sees them sitting tenth, however they do have a game in hand. If Wigan can beat The Southerners however, they could all but end West Ham's hopes of European qualification, via the league, for this season.

Wigan have failed to beat the Hammers at home in three attempts, losing 2-1 in the FA Cup and by the same scoreline in the league, last year in the Championship. Wigan also drew with the Londoners 1-1, in a game that saw Wigan lose out on a play-off place two seasons ago.

Camara: Scored against the Hammers at Upton Park

However, Wigan have had more success on the road than at home, against West Ham. Despite losing 4-0 on their first visit to Upton Park, Wigan beat their Southern counterparts 3-1 last year, and picked up an easy 2-0 victory in December of last year.

More recently though,both teams have seen a different upturn in form. Whilst Wigan have won their last two games in the league, both 1-0, West Ham have been on the end of consecutive Hammerings, pardon the pun, in their last two league games by a 4-2 margin at Bolton and a rather embarrassing 4-1 at home to Portsmouth.

Yet, prior to their two defeats, West Ham were the form team in the Premiership, going six games unbeaten. Wigan on the other hand, have failed to win a league game at home since December 26th against Mancehster City, so a victory at home is long overdue.

West Ham manager rested some of his big names for the home game at Potstmouth, preferring to look ahead to the FA Cup quater-final away to Manchester City, a game that they won. However Pardew was quick to reming his fans that they have not forgot about their floundering league form.

He said: "We haven't forgotten about our poor performance on Saturday

Dean Ashton: In good form for the Hammers

(against Poortsmouth). We dropped our own high standards and we don't need to be reminded of that" He added: "It was not about the selection, or the resting of certain players, it was about the lack of performance. That has happened only three or four times this season."

One of those four games Pardew was referring to will have been at home to the Latics in December. On that night, Wigan eased past their fellow promoted rivals 2-0, in a performance that never saw Wigan get out of second gear.

Pardew will be looking for revenge, and he will be hoping that Anton Ferdinand and ex-Wigan 'keeper Roy Carroll will be back for selection. Other than those two, The Hammers have a fully fit squad to choose from.

Wigan have a few injury doubts over players. Mike Pollitt has made a quick recovery, but Saturday may come too early for him. Steve Mcmillan, surprise surprise, has had to go under the knife for the second time in fourth months, and is ruled out for the rest of the season. Ryan Taylor is still some way off a first team return and David Thompson picked up an ankle injury playing for the reserves, but might just make it.

Wigan are expected to name the same line-up that beat both Sunderland and Manchester City away, but David Connolly could find himself back on the bench. West Ham could play any of Zamora, Harewood, Ashton and Sherringham up front, but Harewoord and Ashton seems the most likely combination.


Ones To Watch

One thing West Ham have got this season is a strong attack. Marlon Harewood has scored 13 league goals in 26 games and Bobby Zamora has chipped in with 5 league goals. However the one to watch inside the box is Dean Ashton. The former Crewe and Norwich man is a real goal threat, and De Zeeuw and Scharner will have to keep a close eye on him and whoever plays alongside him. Etherington on the left wing will be a threat with his crossing ability, but Chimbonda should be able to contain him like he did at Upton Park.


Pundits Predictions

In a move that will stun Wigan, Mark Lawrenson has predicted to win the battle of the promoted clubs 2-1, but can't help but have a little dig at us as usual


My Predictions

Wigan have completed two league doubles over the past fortnight, and i predict that a double over West Ham will be added to that. De Zeeuw and Scharner at the back have been very imprsseive, and Wigan are due a home victory, not winning at home since boxing days brilliant 4-3 victory over Man City.

Result: Latics 2 hammers 1