Stats and info for Saturday's clash with the Latics (ko 3pm)
All-time results record (League, FA Cup and League Cup)PLD | W | D | L | F | A | GD | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HOME | 8 | 4 | 2
| 2 | 18 | 11 | 7 |
AWAY | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 10 | -3 |
NEUTRAL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TOTAL | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 25 | 21 | 4 |
This fixture sees Albion face Wigan for only the 19th time in all competitions. It is the Baggies' least played fixture against all the current top-flight teams.
The Baggies have already recorded their highest-ever points total (48) in the Barclays Premier League following last week’s 3-0 triumph at Southampton.
With nine home wins this term, Albion have also registered their best Hawthorns return in the top flight since 1984/85, when Johnny Giles’ men won 11 games at B71. Steve Clarke’s men will need to beat the Latics tomorrow and Manchester United on the final day to match that total.
Albion have conceded three goals less than at this stage last season and are on course to set their best-ever defensive record in the Barclays Premier League. They will need to let in fewer than eight goals in their remaining four fixtures to do so.
Albion first overcame Wigan in the league when Bobby Gould’s side recorded a 1-0 victory at Springfield Park in Old Division Three on Boxing Day 1991. That year the third tier of English football featured four other current Premier League sides (Stoke, Fulham, Reading and Swansea).
Paul Scharner returns to The Hawthorns for the first time since leaving Albion last summer. The Austria international made 64 appearances for the Baggies – scoring seven goals.
Former Baggies loan star Ben Watson could also be part of Wigan's travelling squad.
Former Baggies loan star Ben Watson could also be part of Wigan's travelling squad.
Last time out
HOME: Barclays Premier League, Saturday, December 10, 2011 - Albion 1 (Reid 33) Wigan 2 (Moses 37, Gomez pen 57)
AWAY: Barclays Premier League, Saturday, March 17, 2012 - Wigan 1 (Kone 44) Albion 2 (Morrison 31, Caldwell og 44)
Form guide (last six league matches)
ALBION: WDLLDW
WIGAN: WWDLLD
Last league match line-ups
WIGAN (v Tottenham - home D 2-2): Joel; Boyce, Scharner, Figueroa (Stam 35); Gomez (Espinoza 79), McCarthy, McArthur, Beausejour; McManaman (Di Santo 63), Kone, Maloney. Subs not used: Al Habsi (gk); Caldwell, Watson, Henriquez.
ALBION (v Southampton - away W 3-0): Foster; Reid, McAuley, Olsson (c), Ridgewell; Yacob, Dorrans; Morrison (Jones 78); Fortune, Long (Rosenberg 88), Lukaku (Thomas 85). Subs not used: Myhill (gk), Odemwingie, D Daniels, Tamas.
Wigan team news
Maynor Figueroa has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a groin injury. Ben Watson and Antolin Alcaraz are close to returning to fitness.
Ref watch
Lee Probert will referee Saturday’s game. The Wiltshire official last oversaw the Baggies in January's 2-2 draw with Villa at The Hawthorns. Probert has dished out 92 yellow and five red cards in 31 games so far this term.
Betting
Selected odds from Bet Butler:
Albion to win: 6/4
Wigan to win: 11/5
Draw: 5/2
Romelu Lukaku to score first: 9/2
Franco Di Santo to score first: 15/2
If you fancy a flutter with the club's official online betting partner, click here.
Tickets
Tickets remain on general sale, click here.
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