Live Football

Wigan Athletic will host Stoke City on Tuesday in the Barclay’s Premier League as the Latics fight to avoid falling into the relegation zone. Wigan have one just once in their last six Premier League matches, falling to 16th in the process, just two points above the drop zone. Stoke City on the other hand have gone 2-2-2 in their last six but are unbeaten in their last four and have moved to mid table on 29 points. Kickoff between the two is set for 19:45 local time at the DW Stadium in Wigan, England.

Wigan was forced to share the spoils over the weekend against Sunderland as a second half equalizer ruined a solid outing for the Latics. Mohamed Diame scored his first goal for Wigan in the 20th minute after a brilliant individual effort resulted in a goal that put Wigan in front 1-0. A headed effort from Kenwyne Jones found the back of the Latics’ net in the 64th minute however forcing Wigan to split the points with Sunderland. Stoke City overwhelmed Blackburn at the weekend with a 3-0 victory at the Britannia Stadium. Danny Higginbotham volleyed in the opening goal in the eighth minute for a 1-0 Stoke lead. Mamady Sidibe tapped in a cross just before the break in the second minute of extra time to give Stoke a 2-0 lead at halftime. Matthew Ethrington went from provider to goal scorer when he curled in a shot in the 67th minute for a 3-0 victory, allowing Stoke to leapfrog Blackburn in the league table.

Wigan’s newest signings Victor Moses and Marcelo Moreno are pushing to make starts after impressing as substitutes against Sunderland over the weekend. Stoke City captain Abdoulaye Faye appears to have overcome the back spasm that kept him out at the weekend while Andy Wilkinson is also expected to feature in Tuesday’s match despite receiving stitches to a head injury over the weekend. Stoke City are unbeaten in their last four league encounters with Wigan, winning two and drawing two. Wigan have won just one league match in their last nine attempts, that coming against fellow strugglers Wolverhampton. Stoke City enters Tuesday’s match after their biggest top flight victory since May 1984.

Both sides will be hoping to take all three points as they fight to increase the cushion between themselves and the drop zone. Stoke City are the safer of the two sides with eight points between themselves and the bottom three. A victory for the Potters could see them leapfrog Fulham depending on the outcome of the Cottagers’ match with Burnley. Wigan have just a two point cushion and a loss would leave them vulnerable to falling into the drop zone if West Ham and Wolves were victorious.