Wigan vs Liverpool Match Preview

With Liverpool's rivals for fourth place all involved in FA cup games this weekend, we have a real chance at getting ourselves a bit of breathing space. At the moment, a win will put us into 4th. We will have played more games than all our rivals, granted (3 more than Villa!), but the thing about games in hand is that they still have to win them. We already have.

With that, it's time to look ahead to Wigan. We play on Monday evening at 10 PM (8 PM BST) at the JJB stadium. Wigan currently occupy 16th spot on the Premier League table, just 1 point off of the relegation zone with a game in hand. Because of this one would expect that, after the game, they will be 1 point off the relegation zone with no games in hand.

However, things are not always as simple as that. Relegation struggles add a new dimension to those seemingly "easy" games. Wigan have been in the Premier League since the 2005/06 season and will be looking to stay here as long as possible. Especially since this is their one and only stint in the top flight. Life in the Premier League has been tough on them though, as is evidenced by their 9-1 loss to Tottenham earlier in the season, which was the first time since 1995 that a team has scored nine goals in a single Premier League match.

Things have not always been bad though. Wigan also accomplished what had seemed impossible and ended mighty Chelsea's unbeaten run from the start of the season. This was achieved at the JJB with a final score of 3-1. So the boys can play when the mood grabs them.

Their home form does not live up to this sparkling achievement though. Their record sits at 13 games, 3 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses. A total of 14 points, 4 of which were gained against teams currently in the top half (Chelsea included). 

All in all, Wigan do not strike me as a frightening opponent. Managers are often quoted as saying that there are no easy games in the Premier League. True as that may be, this is probably as easy as it gets. Wigan were one of my three predictions for relegation at the start of the season alongside Wolves and Hull.

My hope is that Tuesday will greet us with warm memories of a game where we not only won, but won emphatically. Its been said in the press with not undue sarcasm that our last game against Blackburn was the first game in which we've scored more than three goals since October. We have a perfect opportunity here to see that we don't go on a similar run immediately.

Rafa has said that Glen Johnson is a possibility to start, although it will be touch and go. I hope that he makes it, as Masch is really missed in midfield (even though he's a terrifying prospect to any left winger when at rightback). We have a bit of a defensive crisis at the moment. If Johnson does not make it, then we only have three fit natural defenders: Carragher, Kyrgiakos, and Insua. All three of these players have come in for some severe criticism this season as well, whether warranted or not.

I'm hoping to see Aquilani reemerge in this game as well. Wigan are not the physical threat that Stoke, Everton and Blackburn are so I'd expect him to be in the lineup. Maxi will start again, as will Torres probably.

I expect a good entertaining game with lots of goals. Pepe has been rock solid at the back and his defensive line are back on song, with or without Johnson. I predict a final score of 4-0 to the mighty reds.

The other crunch factor, coming into this game, is the hectic schedule we have coming. By the time the Manchester United clash comes around, our boys will have played 9 games in 28 days (including the international break). With Wigan being "lesser" opposition, can we afford to rest some of our key players?

So, who do you think we should start and what are your predictions for the game?