Wigan v Hammers: Big Match Preview

Wigan Athletic v West Ham United
Saturday 28th April 2007
JJB Stadium
Kick off: 3pm

Referee: Graham Poll (Tring)

Team news:

Wigan winger Lee McCulloch is set to return to the side after recovering from a bruised foot. Right-back Ryan Taylor is unlikely to take part, having suffered his own foot injury, while Antonio Valencia completes a three-match ban.

Alan Curbishley is likely to take the same squad up to Wigan as faced Everton last week, with Dean Ashton, Matty Upson and Danny Gabbidon the long-term absentees unlikely to take part in the remainder of the season.


Background:

These two sides were promoted together in 2005 and both have experienced a difficult second season in the Premiership, having both finished in the top half of the table last term.

There are just three points separating the sides going into the game, with Wigan on 35 points and West Ham United on 32. Wigan are without a win in six games but beat the Hammers 2-0 in the reverse fixture on December 6.

Both teams have won nine times in the Premiership this season but the Hammers have won four in their last six matches, putting them fourth in the Premiership form table. All the Premiership matches between the sides have been won by the team playing away from home and Nigel Reo-Coker snatched an injury-time winner at the JJB on the 25th March last year.


Stats:

Last three league meetings at JJB Stadium:

2005/6 Wigan 1 (McCulloch) West Ham 2 (Harewood, Reo-Coker)
2004/5 Wigan 1 (Roberts) West Ham 2 (Sheringham, Harewood)
2003/4 Wigan 1 (Roberts) West Ham 1 (Deane)

Tickets and travel:


All match tickets have sold out, plus all free coach travel tickets have been issued and no further coaches are to be made available.

For information on getting to the JJB stadium by road or public transport click here

Weather:

The forecast for Saturday afternoon in Wigan is sunny, with highs of around 21C.