Match Preview: Sunderland v Wigan Athletic (From The Advertiser Series)

Match Preview: Sunderland v Wigan Athletic

6:22pm Friday 5th February 2010

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SUNDERLAND
Gordon
Hutton Turner Kilgallon McCartney
Malbranque Cana Cattermole Reid
Jones Bent

Scotland McCarthy
N'Zogbia Koumas Boyce Rodallega
Figueroa Bramble Caldwell Scharner
Stojkovic
WIGAN

Sunderland subs (from): Fulop(gk), Bardsley, Da Silva, Zenden, Meyler, Henderson, Benjani, Campbell, Noble.
Wigan Athletic subs (from): Pollitt(gk), Amaya, Thomas, Moses, Watson, Diame, Sinclair, Gomez, Moreno.

SUNDERLAND: Steve Bruce's desire to field a settled line-up has taken another blow after John Mensah suffered a hamstring problem and won't be risked against the Potters. Alan Hutton's arrival before the transfer window deadline allows the gaffer to slot the on loan Scotland international straight in at right-back. His other new recruit, Benjani will probably have to be content with a place on the bench but will offer an option should Kenwyne Jones fail to impress.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: Mensah (hamstring), Richardson (calf), Ferdinand (ankle)
Last five league games: DLLDD
Leading league scorer: Bent 14
Next game: Portsmouth (A) 09/02/10

WIGAN ATHLETIC: Roberto Martinez fended off a host of rival clubs to land Crystal Palace's highly-rated teenage winger Victor Moses before the transfer deadline closed with Shakhtar Donetsk's Bolivia international striker Marcelo Moreno also joining on loan.
Former Newcastle left wing-back Charles N'Zogbia has been earning rave reviews from his manager this season and his combination with Maynor Figueroa is expected to give Hutton a testing debut.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: Kirkland (shoulder), Melchiot (neck)
Last five league games: LLWLD
Leading league scorer: Rodallega 7
Key player: Maynor Figueroa - Has topped Steve Bruce's wanted list since the Tynesider became Sunderland boss.

Last season: 1-2
League head to head: Sunderland 3, Wigan 5, draws 5
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Nuneaton) G18 Y59 R3 Av:3.4
Last Sunderland game: n/a
Odds: H11/10; A12/5; D3/1

It's a fact: Sunderland have never beaten Wigan at The Stadium of Light.
Comment by Andy Richardson: If the Wearsiders lose this game they can consider themselves fully immersed in a battle against relegation.
Prediction: 1-0

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