Source: Northern_Echo
Match Preview: Wigan Athletic v Sunderland
WIGAN Kirkland Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa Thomas, Diame, Scharner, NZogbia Rodallega, Scotland[LNB] Bent Richardson Reid, Henderson, Cana, Malbranque McCartney, Turner, Da Silva, Bardsley Fulop SUNDERLAND[LNB] Sunderland subs (from): Carson (gk), Ferdinand, Nosworthy, Mensah, Zenden, Murphy, Healy, Campbell. Wigan subs (from): Pollitt (gk), Edman, Koumas, Sinclair, Amaya, De Ridder, Cho, Gomez.[LNB] SUNDERLAND: Steve Bruce is hoping to name Darren Bent in his starting line-up after a scan revealed the striker had not suffered serious hamstring damage in last weekend's win over Arsenal. Michael Turner is available after suspension, and the defender is likely to replace John Mensah in the only change to the side that started against the Gunners. Kenwyne Jones is still suspended. Suspensions: Jones (1) Injuries: Gordon (wrist), Cattermole (knee) Last five league games: WLDLW Leading league scorer: Bent 9 Next game: vs Fulham (A) 06/12/09[LNB] WIGAN: Left-back Maynor Figueroa could make a return to Wigan's starting line-up as Steve Bruce returns to the DW Stadium. The Honduras international, originally signed by Bruce for the Latics, is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a knee injury and was on the bench for last Sunday's 9-1 humiliation at Spurs. Erik Edman, who endured a torrid time at White Hart Lane, would be the man to drop out. Suspensions: None Injuries: None Last five league games: LDLWD Leading league scorer: Rodallega 5 Key Player: Titus Bramble - The former Newcastle defender has been in good form recently, but was dreadful at Spurs last weekend.[LNB] Last season: 1-1 League head to head: Sunderland 3, Wigan 4, Draws 5 Referee: Martin Atkinson (Halifax) G15 Y71 R0 Ave: 4.73 Last Sunderland game: vs Birmingham (A) 24/10/09 L1-2 Y4 R0 Odds: H7/5; A19/10; D23/10[LNB] It's a fact: Sunderland have won only one of their last seven matches against Wigan. Comment by Richard Mason: It's not the walkover that people are predicting, but Sunderland still have too much for a shell-shocked Wigan. Prediction: 0-1[LNB]
