Now is the time for Wigan to live up to their tag as the Premier League’s escapology specialists. The Latics are currently in the relegation zone, three points from safety, and saw they survival prospects take a hit last weekend as they limped to defeat at West Ham and results went against them. Now its time for Roberto Martinez’s side to begin the process of unlocking the chains and climbing out of the top-flight dunk tank. Replicating the feats of last season won’t be plain sailing in their five remaining games and they have to make home form count after two consecutive losses away from the DW Stadium.
After coming from behind to slay Manchester City last Sunday Tottenham are on a high and can reclaim a position in the top-four with victory in the North West. They are just two points behind Arsenal and have a game in hand on their North London rivals, who go up against newly-crowned champions Manchester United tomorrow. Andre Villas-Boas will have been pleased by his teams second half response against City as they scored three times in seven minutes to earn a much needed win. Wigan, however, are something of a bogey team for Spurs and they’ll be seeking to avenge the 1-0 defeat suffered in the reverse fixture at White Hart Lane earlier in the campaign.
Team News
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez looks set to reinstate winger Jean Beausejour to the starting XI after being forced into a defensive reshuffle following the news that Antolin Alcaraz (hamstring) faces three weeks out.
Aaron Lennon has overcome a knee injury and is back for Tottenham. Also fighting fit are Gareth Bale and Jermaine Defoe after they both made a scoring comeback in the victory over Manchester City. Sandro (knee) and defensive duo Younes Kaboul (thigh) and William Gallas (calf) remain unavailable.
What the managers said…
“The speculation about Real Madrid comes from the coach having speculation all over the world about his exit – Real Madrid are looking for a coach. The fact he made it public that he is looking for an exit has ended up with a lot of speculation. For me it is always an honour but I am completely focused. At the moment I am very, very focused on trying to get another year at one club. The same club!” Andre Villas-Boas insists every ounce of his focus is on Tottenham (Telegraph Sport)
“The players have been very focused on the league. Their performances have been phenomenal. Arguably, the games at Manchester City and West Ham were our two most dominant performances away from home. You shouldn’t just judge football on results. If they want to play in the FA Cup final, that comes through very good performances in the league.” Roberto Martinez adds an incentive for his players to secure Premier League survival (Telegraph Sport)
Pre-match Statistic: Jermaine Defoe enjoys playing against having notched 10 goals in 12 Premier League games against them.
Prediction: Wigan Athletic 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur
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