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Preview: Sunderland vs Wigan

09 February 2008 - 01:30

A crucial battle between two Premiership relegation battlers takes place on Saturday as Steve Bruce's Wigan travel to Roy Keane's Sunderland. Both have identical records and are 2 points above the relegation zone.

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<b>Analysis</b>

Both teams are in precarious positions in the Premiership desperate for points. Wigan chase a fifth win in Steve Bruce's 12 league games in charge.





<b>Injuries and Suspensions</b>

Emile Heskey will be a doubtful starter with an injury to his back while Marlon King faces a late fitness test. Liam Miller, Kieran Richardson, Dwight Yorke and Grant Leadbitter are all missing for the Black Cats.





<b>Squads</b>

Sunderland (from): Gordon, Ward, Fulop, Bardsley, McShane, Evans, Collins, Harte, Whitehead, Etuhu, O'Donovan, Jones, Waghorn, Murphy, Stokes, Chopra, Prica.



Wigan (from): Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Brown, Palacios, Taylor, Bent, Heskey, King, Aghahowa, Boyce, Edman, Figueroa, Granqvist, Koumas, Olembe, Cotterill, Sibierski, Skoko, Pollitt.





<b>Bruce: Survival would be greatest achievement</b>

"With the teams involved, maybe 36. The good thing for us is that we've got ourselves into the pack and at one stage I didn't think that would be possible. But thankfully the lads have rallied around a bit and we've given ourselves a chance.



"Thirty six might be enough because the teams have all got to play each other as well. There are eight teams in there and when you've all got to play one another that restricts the number of points you can get."





<b>Eyefootball Premiership Predictor</b>



Sunderland 1-0 Wigan



Usually Wigan would be the favorite to get the points here, but Sunderland are going to put Premiership home advantage to good use on Saturday to make sure they get an important three points.



Goalscorer: Rade Prica

Written by majicka