Everton v Wigan - Match Preview

It has been five long weeks since our last league victory, after a promising display against Chelsea last week is Saturday the day we finally, finally get back to winning ways?????

Lets face it anything will be better than our last home game, when we capitulated in meek and frankly embarassing fashion against West Brom.

I'm hoping that ,like the defeat to Hull last season, this proves a watershed moment in the season and one that stops the rot.

I can be hope anyway...

Saturday's game against lowly Wigan represents a great chance to get a welcome first three points since October. If we don't then we really need to start getting worries about the direction of our season.

Wigan are one of the lowest scorers in the Premier League, they have only won one away game (and that was back in August), they have only won one of the last nine and lost their last three against Everton.

With Louis Saha gratefully injured ( I hate to say that but he has been so poor this season something needed to be done to force Moyes to pick someone else). Jermaine Beckford looks likely to start after his last gasp equaliser last week, though doubts remain over his ability to cope in this division, especially on his own upfront.

Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell can continue their promising central midfield partnership. The young duo looked impressive against Chelsea last week and another decent display could see Mikel Arteta struggle to get back into the team.

Team news wise as I said earlier Saha is out along with Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert. Arteta completes the second match of a two game suspension. Steven Pienaar (ankle) and Jonny Heitnga (knee) are also believed to be doubts.

For Wigan Hugo Rodallega has completed a three-game ban and may replace Mauro Boselli up front. Gary Caldwell is set to miss out with a thigh problem, while Franco Di Santo could be out for three months with an ankle injury.

Stats from the BBC:

Head-to-head

• Wigan have won two of 10 Premier League games against Everton. They have lost six of those matches, including the last three.

• The Latics' only previous win at Goodison Park was 1-0 in September 2005, when Damien Francis got the only goal.


Everton

• They have managed only three top-flight wins this season, but have lost only five of their last 27 league matches.

• Those three victories came in the space of four games in October.

• David Moyes's men are winless in their previous six outings (D4, L2).

• If Everton lose, it would the their 100th Premier League defeat at Goodison Park.

Wigan

• The Latics have won just one of their last nine league matches - that was their 1-0 victory at home to West Brom on 13 November.

• If Wigan lose, it would be their 100th Premier League defeat.

• Victory at Tottenham in August is Wigan's only win in their last 15 away league games.