Sunderland v Wigan preview Black Cats and Latics are in need of a valuable three points By Ben Collins Last updated: 25th November 2011 .. Steve Bruce: Ex-Wigan boss has struggled to get new-look Sunderland side firing Suspensions Sunderland: Wigan: Alcaraz Injuries Sunderland: Wickham, Bramble, Mignolet, Gordon. Wigan: ..Both Sunderland and Wigan are in search of a much-needed win as they clash at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Sunderland have won just two of their 12 Premier League games this season, with last week's 0-0 draw against Fulham their third straight draw at home. Defender John O'Shea this week admitted the Black Cats must find a way to grind out wins on Wearside as Steve Bruce's men lie just two points above the drop zone. A repeat of last season's 4-2 home win over Wigan in April will certainly restore a positive atmosphere to the Stadium of Light and go a long way to appeasing their disgruntled fans. Wigan have even bigger problems, though, as they are five points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table. Last week's 3-3 draw at home to Blackburn stopped a nine-game losing streak but manager Roberto Martinez knows it should have been three points rather than just one. Martinez spoke with referees' chief Mike Riley this week following Blackburn's controversial second goal, while Rovers denied Wigan victory with a Yakubu penalty deep into stoppage-time. The Spanish boss now wants to move on and while he admits the Latics are still downhearted after last week's dramatic draw, he hopes the point can at least give them some momentum. Team news Sunderland can welcome back three-goal top scorer Sebastian Larsson as the Swedish midfielder is available again following a one-game ban. Defender Titus Bramble continues to work on his fitness after shaking off a knee problem following his return from a club ban and striker Fraizer Campbell (knee) is on course to play a game of some form within the next fortnight. Connor Wickham (knee) could start running next week but goalkeepers Simon Mignolet (fractured nose and eye socket) and Craig Gordon (knee) remain out. Wigan midfielder James McCarthy (groin) along with striker Franco Di Santo, who missed the 3-3 draw with Blackburn after suffering a minor tear in his quad. Fellow frontman Hugo Rodallega featured as a substitute last week having had a virus and could return to the starting line-up. Defender Antolin Alcaraz remains unavailable as he serves the second game of his three-match ban for spitting at Wolves' Richard Stearman. Possible starting XIs Sunderland: Westwood, O'Shea, Turner, Brown, Bardsley, Larsson, Gardner, Cattermole, Richardson, Sessegnon, Bendtner. Wigan: Al Habsi, Stam, Caldwell, Gohouri, Figueroa, McArthur, Jones, Diame, Gomez, Moses, Rodallega. .
i cant wait for this game should be a cracker!! we both have to win but if we dont go for it from the off we could be in real trouble!! i expect to win this one IF we start with two up top... ha'way the lads
I was really looking forward to this game this time last week as I found out I wouldn't be at the Fulham game. So naturally I thought 3 points from Fulham with a scrappy odd goal win then thrash Wigan now though, I reckon it'll be more of the same from Bruce and a terrible 1-1 bore draw which will do neither club any good whatsoever. No more excuses for me we lose this and we could be bottom 3 by this time Saturday night, not we were all expecting but maybe we are expecting too much these days?
I'm fully expecting a win, score will depend on first 20 minutes, early goal, pressure off and a 3-0 win. However it would not surprise me to see a 1-0 with none of us having fingers left
Who whould have thought it last time i went to a game was Pompy at home and now im going to be there for a secend time in two weeks Sunderland 1-2 Wigan
I love your optism kidda.They are no mugs.Anyways watching the lads in whatever division will do for me. I love Sunderland win lose or draw,up or down.
A tense nervy game with both sides more scared of defeat. Turner and Brown can keep Rodallega and Moses (i'll shoot from anywhere) quiet. So it's down to Bendtner and whoever, toget the winner.. Nervy 1-0
Sadly, these are my fears too. A nervous game played by 2 nervous teams that know a win is vital. Can Bruce inject a positive feel for us or will we go 1 up front? One thing 's for certain, martinez will go for it. Fingers crossed eh lads?
Will he be walking the plank, or save the day in swash-buckling style and flair... Mind he has jumped ships a few times, hopefully he can make this one safe and stable and steer it into un-chartered grounds never before seen on the shores of the great port of Sunderland.. please log in to view this image
Alright Dorset mate...long time.. Well they say "sink or swim" so today is another step along that plank, or a reprieve.
I'm good thanks Comm thought I would try and drag myself out of the doom and gloom and join in todays banter You're so right about the "plank" mate. Lose today and Steve Bruce has to get wet!
one striker! ....with Richardson in the hole. One change to the team that drew with Fulham, Larsson in for Elmo
Oh well, chance after chance and again we fail to take them, allowing Wigan to draw level at half time. TBF, Wigan have been damn lucky to keep the score down, but too many of our shots were straight at Al Habsi. A good first half with plenty of chances, so let's hope that the lads can find the net in the second half.
