Wigan Athletic FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1932
• Manager:Roberto Martinez

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• Capacity:NaN

Preview: Wigan v Tottenham

18 Feb 2010 - 15:19:47

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Wigan Athletic host Tottenham on Sunday and fresh in the mind of most people at this game will be the 9-1 thrashing that Spurs dished out to the Latics at White Hart Lane earlier in the season.

Jermain Defoe scored five goals that day and in total the striker has netted nine goals in six starts against Athletic.

Spurs are still in the hunt for a Champions League spot. However, Harry Redknapp's charges have failed to score in three of their last four away games in the league. Wigan are not in much better form at home though, having drawn three and lost two of their last five games at the DW Stadium.

One big loss for Spurs this weekend could be an absent Aaron Lennon. The former Leeds United winger has a groin injury and Sunday's game may come too soon for the 22-year-old, especially with the World Cup on the horizon.

Lennon has provided a club-high eight assists so far this season and would be greatly missed.

Wigan secured a third consecutive draw against Bolton Wanderers in midweek and manager Roberto Martinez was happy to take the point against a dogged Trotters side.

The former Swansea City manager said: "It is a very good point. Every point now is important.

"I am looking at the performance and all the ingredients you need to be a good side are there - effort, discipline, concentration.

"We need to make sure we carry on with the good standards to make the break that probably would have been the difference."

One factor which could affect the outcome of the game is the pitch, which has come under close scrutiny recently, especially now that the rugby league season has kicked off.

The Spaniard added: "It is five games in 18 days between rugby and football. We don't have to hide it, it is a bad surface and it affects the way we want to play.

"But I felt we adapted well against Bolton. There is nothing we can do about the state of the pitch but I am pleased with the way the players approached the situation."

Martinez will be hoping his side can make the step up this Sunday and banish the November nightmare at White Hart Lane at the first opportunity.