Stoke City – Wigan Athletic Preview: Roberto Martinez’s men relying upon other teams to drop points to stay up

Roberto Martinez, Wigan (Getty Images)

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Thomas Sorensen made a rare Premier League start after an impressive FA Cup final display, but the three goals shipped to Manchester City in the league are likely to see regular No.1 Asmir Begovic return, while a raft of changes will be made to the side that started at Eastlands just three days after the Wembley meeting, with Jermaine Pennant, Kenwyne Jones, and Robert Huth all expected to return.
Roberto Martinez has no fresh injury concerns and a full squad to pick from, and he may be tempted to give match winner Conor Sammon a start ahead of Tom Cleverley, after the Irishman earned Wigan three precious points against West Ham last week.

• Stoke City have scored 23 goals at home since the turn of the year in all competitions, from 11 games, and have not been beaten at the Britannia since December.

• The Potters have the chance to finish for the first time in their history as the highest ranked Midlands team. They have a significantly better goal difference than West Bromwich Albion, who are also on 46 points, with Aston Villa on 45, while Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers scrap for survival.

• Wigan Athletic could still go down even if they win at the Britannia, should results elsewhere go against them. But despite being 19th they could actually stay up if they fall to defeat and Birmingham City lose by two goals more.

• The Latics have won just three times on the road this season in the Premier League. But they still have a better away record than Stoke, who have picked up a paltry 12 points on their travels.

• If they overcome Stoke, Wigan would be only the fifth club to beat the Tony Pulis’ men at the Britannia this season, joining Manchester United, Tottenham, Blackpool and Fulham as victors in the Potteries.

• Charles N’Zogbia’s two goals against West Ham United took him one ahead of Hugo Rodallega as the team’s top scorer in the league with nine strikes.

• Wigan have failed to beat Stoke in five meetings in the Premier League, with the last three games ending in draws and producing 14 goals, while the Potters were successful two years ago in a 2-0 May win at the Britannia.