PREMIER LEAGUE: REEBOK STADIUM, SATURDAY MARCH 13, 201. KICK-OFF: 1500 GMT
BOLTON WANDERERS:
After two straight wins over Wolves and West Ham, Bolton came plunging back to earth with a bump in their 4-0 defeat at Sunderland in midweek and must now must take the chance to move into midtable with a victory against Wigan.
A run of five games against Wigan, Blackburn, Wolves, West Ham and Sunderland, has produced seven points which has been enough to give them a little breathing space.
From being in the bottom three when Owen Coyle arrived, they are now five points above the relegation zone.
But, following this clash with Roberto Martinez's side, they face a trip to Everton before entertaining Manchester United and Aston Villa, so they need to make the most of the opportunity to win points that would ease their anxiety going into the final weeks of the campaign.
They are just a point above local rivals Wigan and both teams will feel that a victory would give them a decent cushion over the bottom four with a split finally emerging at the wrong end of the table.
Coyle has enjoyed good home form since his arrival, with just one defeat - to Arsenal - in his six matches at the Reebok Stadium and having played five of their last six matches away from home, that will be a run his team are desperate to continue on Saturday.
Defender Gretar Steinsson feels that Bolton have to get back on course after their setback in the north east. "We have to step things up, take responsibility and get the results we need," he said.
"We got one great result against Wolves and then a fantastic one against West Ham, so the players will give everything they have to get back on track. It's going to be a massive derby game and everyone is determined to get things right."
Strategy: So much was made of the attractive styles of both Coyle and Martinez before their meeting at the DW Stadium last month, which turned out to be potentially the dullest goalless draw played anywhere in the world this season. That had a lot to do with the pitch - which was more of a mud heap - and both have a point to prove at the Reebok Stadium. Although it is hardly a game that will fill neutrals with anticipation, it does offer an interesting tactical exchange. Martinez's 4-2-3-1 is well-established and Wigan tore Coyle's Burnley side apart with a 3-1 win at Turf Moor earlier this season and did the same to Liverpool in midweek.
Midfield superiority will be key, with the battle between Bolton's Fabrice Muamba and Tamir Cohen and Wigan's holders Mohamed Diame and James McCarthy, a Coyle target in the summer, dictating how high up the pitch their attacking players are getting hold of possession. Bolton will look to flood forward through wide men Chung-Yong Lee and Jack Wilshere and give Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander a constant service. But at all times they will be aware of the speed with which Wigan can break through wingers Charles N'Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega. It might not receive too much coverage on Match of the Day, but it will be an interesting encounter..
Injury Update: Coyle is hoping that Muamba can get over a dead leg sustained at Sunderland but Gavin McCann has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury. Mark Davies could return from his ankle injury. Gary Cahill is set to return to training next week after suffering a blood clot on his arm and Stuart Holden is out with a broken leg, Chris Basham is out with a knee problem and Joey O'Brien is a long-term absentee.
WIGAN ATHLETIC:
Martinez watched his side beat Liverpool on Monday evening but he is still not entirely happy because it only underlined their inconsistency.
He is desperately hoping that the win will be the start of a good run of form for his side after a season of rollercoaster results.
The Latics secured their first-ever Premier League victory over Liverpool thanks to Rodallega's goal and they have also beaten Aston Villa and Chelsea this season to show tantalising glimpses of what they can do.
But a 5-0 defeat to Manchester United and a 9-1 thrashing by Tottenham Hostpur also underline how inconsistent his club is and he is desperate for that to end.
He said: "Throughout the season we've shown flashes of what we're capable of doing. I think what's been letting us down is that lack of consistency. But the performance on Monday had absolutely everything.
"It wasn't a hopeful result. It wasn't a hopeful performance. I think it was a performance that we wanted to impose ourselves from the first minute until the last. We were worthy winners.
"To say that against a talented side like Liverpool shows you what we're capable of and the potential we've got. In a transitional season like we're in it's important that we find the means to be consistent."
Strategy: Wigan will be hoping to produce more chances than they did when these two teams last faced each other a month ago. That match was a drab goalless draw but the Liverpool win should have raised the morale in the Wigan camp enough to ensure they at least attack with confidence this time around. Wigan will again look to Rodallega to provide the flair while N'Zogbia will have to back him up going forward. At the back, Gary Caldwell and Titus Bramble will have the unenviable task of trying to keep Kevin Davies quiet while Chris Kirkland will also be hoping for another clean sheet after his Liverpool shut-out.
Injury Update: Steven Gohouri is back in contention after a hamstring problem although Mario Melchiot is likely to be missing with a thigh strain.
