Wigan Athletic v Birmingham City - Follow LIVE text commentary
05 Dec 2009 - 15:00:00
Wigan Athletic v Birmingham City
Follow every kick as Wigan Athletic take on Birmingham City at The JJB Stadium in the Premier League
on 05-Dec-2009, kick off time 15:00
Wigan Athletic v Birmingham City Live
Wigan Athletic welcome Birmingham City to the DW Stadium on Saturday for a Premier League showdown that both outfits should be confident of grabbing a result.Roberto Martinez's hosts laid the ghost of White Hart Lane to rest with an excellent 1-0 win against Sunderland last weekend.This after they travelled to London to face Tottenham Hotspur and were thumped 9-1, but the Latics will be hoping that was simply a blip on their otherwise impressive start to this season's campaign.They sit 14th in the league and a healthy five points away from the relegation zone, while Birmingham have clambered up to 11th following their recent on-field successes.Alex McLeish's men are currently on an excellent five-game unbeaten run that has yielded three wins - against Sunderland, Fulham and local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers - plus two impressive draws at home to big-spending Manchester City and away at Liverpool.Another Blues triumph this time out could see them propelled into the top ten.With games fast approaching against West Ham United, Blackburn Rovers and Everton, McLeish's men could really stamp their mark on the league before Christmas and he is set to receive a £40million windfall from new owner Carson Yeung to bolster the squad during January's transfer window.The game looks like it has the makings of a cracker with Wigan's leaky defence so far conceding 31 goals in their 14 Premier League contests while Birmingham's more watertight unit letting in just 14 from their opening 14 fixtures. But having scored just 12, it could be argued that McLeish's prioritises his defence over attack.Birmingham could be without the services of Damien Johnson (hamstring) while Stuart Parnaby (back), David Murphy and Teemu Tainio (both knee), Martin Taylor (ankle) and Garry O'Connor (hip) all still some way from returning.Wigan on the other hand have a complete clean bill of health in the lead up to the game - an unheard of luxury at this stage of the season where injuries and suspensions come in thick and fast.
