Match Preview: Wigan Athletic

Match Details: Wigan Athletic - Division One - JJB Stadium - KO 3pm

Previous Meetings:

We lost to Wigan at Turf Moor earlier in the season 2-0, in David May's debut match. It was a game that the local press in Wigan acknowledged was "daylight robbery" from Wigan's perspective. Burnley's record at Wigan is notable for the absence of any wins.

Team News:

Burnley:

Stan has a very strong squad to chose from for the match, indeed there is a strong chance normal first team players may not even make it on to the bench. Paul Radhubka, Neil Wood and Bradley Orr are all expected to be in the squad for the game and the big guessing game will take place as to whether Stan will change the side that beat Gillingham in the Cup. Brian Jensen in particular may have reason to feel hard done by if he is dropped, after improving recently.

Paul Weller remains out with injury, but he is expected to be back for the Gillingham match next week, while Arthur Gnohere (subject of a potential loan move to QPR) has suffered a reoccurrence of his hamstring injury, that may keep him out for three weeks. There are no clarets suspensions, with Robbie Blake the next to be suspended next week against Gillingham.

Predicted team line up is therefore hard but here goes:

Radchubka, Roche, May (c), McGregor, Camara, Little, Grant, Orr, Wood, Blake & I. Moore

Subs: Jensen, Branch, Chaplow, West, Chadwick, A.Moore.

Wigan:

Paul Jewell has had a frustrating week in the transfer market, but will also have a relatively strong squad to chose from. In particular the Jason Roberts and Nathan Ellington partnership is one that is potentially very deadly for the clarets. Peter Kennedy and Alan Rodgers are both missing through injury, but Andy Liddle and Steve McMillan may be fit to return.

Predicted Line Up:

Filan, Baines, Breckin, De Vos, Eaden, McCulloch, Jarrett, Bullard, Teale, Ellington, Jason Roberts.

Subs: Walsh, Mitchell, Flynn, Jackson, Neil Roberts.

Manager Views:

Stan is hopeful the clarets can record their first league win since early december,

"We're capable of beating Wigan...they have a benefactor and they are the Chelsea of our division." "There is more competition for places now, the squad is stronger so I'm hopeful it will pan out well for us."

Paul Jewell is well aware of the claret's dangers especially Robbie Blake who he worked with at Bradford. "Burnley are a better side than their current league position reflects and they have some very good players like Robbie Blake...who is having a great season. I know all about him from Bradford and I think he is still a Premiership player to be perfectly honest."

Referee: Uriah Rennie

Last-minute ticket details:

Tickets can be purchased on the day at the JJB Stadium. Prices are £16 for adults and £11 for concessions.

For more details you can contact Wigan on: 01942 774000

Directions:

For detailed travel directions check out the official website travel pack:

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