West Ham make the trip to Wigan hoping to build on Sunday’s win against Man City and to maintain seventh place in the Hammers’ quest for European qualification.
Just one point ahead of Wednesday’s opponents, West Ham will hope to complete a league double over Steve Bruce’s side, who go into the match on the back of an unlucky defeat against Chelsea suffered at the weekend.
Vital Quotes:
Jack Collison on the match ahead:
‘A win will consolidate seventh place, which at the moment looks good enough for a Uefa Cup spot.
‘That is the target the manager, Gianfranco Zola, has set us.
‘We have got 10 or 11 games now until the end of the season and we are going to look to kick on now rather than see the season out.’
Quotes courtesy of BBC Sport.
Wigan Athletic Team News:
Antonio Valencia and Mido return for the Latics having missed the match against Chelsea.
Ben Watson is available again returning from suspension, while Jason Koumas is ready having recovered from a thigh injury.
Player to watch: Antonio Valencia
The Ecuador international is always a danger coming forward in attack and will pose a threat for young midfielder James Tomkins, deputising the centre of West Ham’s defence.
Hammers Team News:
Valon Behrami is sidelined for the rest of the Premier League season and Mark Noble returns to the side from suspension.
Long term absentees Dean Ashton, Danny Gabbidon, Kieron Dyer and Louis Boa Morte remain unavailable.
Player to watch: Jack Collison
A lot has been made of the young Welsh international in recent weeks and impressed against Man City on Sunday, scoring in the process.
Match Facts & Stats
In the reverse fixture earlier this season West Ham recorded a 2-1 victory over the Latics, Dean Ashton grabbing a brace and Amir Zaki scoring for the visitors in the first match of the season.
Ref Watch:
Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).
Match Prediction:
Wigan to win easily, West Ham will miss Behrami. 2-0.
Next Fixtures:
West Bromwich Albion (h)
Monday, 16th March 2009, 20:00
Upton Park
