Stoke v Wigan preview

15 May 2009 10:47
Stoke secured their Premier League survival last weekend and will hope to celebrate by winning their final home game of the season against Wigan. The Potters were tipped to struggle at the start of the campaign but they have defied the odds to stay up comfortably and could now finish as high as 11th in the table. Stoke once again demonstrated their resilience with a 2-1 victory at Hull City in their most recent outing but it has been their form at the Britannia Stadium has made them formidable opponents. Tony Pulis' men have won nine games at home this term and will want to give their supporters another three points to cheer on Saturday. Wigan need to avoid defeat to stay above Stoke after sliding into the bottom half in recent weeks following a dismal run of form. The Latics have collected just one point from their last six games, although Steve Bruce will have been encouraged by his team's performance against Manchester United in midweek. Hugo Rodallega fired the Latics ahead at the JJB Stadium before the defending Premier League champions came back to triumph 2-1 thanks to goals from Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick Team newsOn-loan striker Henri Camara will miss out for Stoke against his parent club and Pulis could be tempted to name an unchanged side. Full-back Andy Wilkinson is likely to be involved after having sugar injections as a remedy for a slight back strain. Richard Cresswell, Danny Pugh and Stephen Kelly came on as substitutes at the KC Stadium and will hope to feature. Bruce may opt to freshen up his side following the loss to United and could revert to a 4-4-2 formation. Egyptian striker Mido is therefore likely to come back in alongside Rodallega, with Amr Zaki (knee and ankle) still sidelined. Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland (back) missed the match against United after coming off injured at West Brom last weekend and Richard Kingson is set to deputise again. Possible starting XIsStoke: Sorensen, Cort, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Delap, Whelan, Etherington, Lawrence, Fuller, Beattie. Wigan: Kingson, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Brown, Cattermole, N'Zogbia, Rodallega, Mido.

Source: SKY_Sports