Roberto Martinez's Latics side are just two points above the drop-zone after their 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Saturday but Stoke, thanks to their excellent 3-0 home success over Blackburn Rovers, are a healthy eight points clear of the dreaded bottom three.
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Tony Pulis continues to guide his unfashionable Potters side towards the top half of the table as they go about their business without fuss but Wigan's plight will be concerning Martinez.
They have won just one of their last nine league fixtures and are rapidly becoming embroiled in a relegation scrap.
Stoke are in fine form, they have now beaten Blackburn and Fulham and held Sunderland and Liverpool to draws in their last four games, to propel themselves into a more lofty position.
Matthew Etherington was at the heart of everything at the weekend and scored the third goal in the comprehensive success over a poor Blackburn side.
The left winger's form will be pleasing Pulis as the former West Ham United star tries to overcome well-publicised gambling problems.
Only Amady Faye (back) is unavailable for City ahead of the midweek clash in what is an otherwise full-strength squad for Pulis.
Martinez can go one better, he has no injury concerns at present, which must be a novelty at this stage of the season.
Last term's meeting was a dour goalless draw and the paying public will be hoping for a little more action this time.
Source: DSG
