Blackburn vs Wigan preview

24 April 2009 11:05
Blackburn Rovers will be looking for a vital win over Wigan Athletic when the two teams meet on Sunday.[LNB] The clubs may only be 25 miles away, but league positions are not so close.[LNB]Rovers are in relegation trouble and currently occupy 17th place, three points clear of the drop-zone.[LNB]While Wigan are looking for three crucial points in their bid to sneak into Europe, with the Latics currently 11th and only four points off seventh-placed West Ham United.[LNB]Wigan have the chance to complete their first ever Premier League double over Blackburn with a win at Ewood Park, after their convincing 3-0 win at the JJB Stadium on December 13th.[LNB]That victory saw Paul Ince sacked as Rovers boss, leading to Sam Allardyce's appointment.[LNB]Blackburn will be desperate for a win after going down 1-0 to relegation rivals Stoke City a result which plunged them further into the battle for survival. [LNB]However, Wigan's last game was two weeks ago as they were crushed by Arsenal 4-1 and the Latics will be looking to bounce back.[LNB]Team NewsRovers have a striker shortage and will definitely be without Roque Santa Cruz, whose knee problem could keep the Paraguayan out for the rest of the season.[LNB]Grenada striker Jason Roberts, who would have been looking to make his 300th career start, will also miss out as the stress fracture of the foot he suffered against Tottenham on 4th April could end his campaign.[LNB]Steven Reid and Brett Emerton are both doubtful for the match with knee troubles.[LNB]Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce could once again call on Christopher Samba to support top-scorer Benni McCarthy in attack.[LNB]Wigan will have Lee Cattermole back after he served the final game of his four-match ban.[LNB]Amr Zaki is in contention for a starting berth after making up with manager Steve Bruce following his unauthorised absence after an international match.[LNB]Charles N'Zogbia has recovered from a miggling knee problem. but Erik Edman is expected to have to settle for a spot on the bench as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.[LNB]That gives Bruce a fully-fit squad to choose from except for midfielder Cho Won-Hee. The South Korean will miss the rest of the season after he tore a calf muscle.[LNB]Possible starting line-upsBlackburn: Robinson, Andrews, Nelsen, Ooijer, Warnock, Diouf, Dunn, Tugay, Pedersen, Samba, McCarthy[LNB]Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Watson, N'Zogbia, Mido, Zaki[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports