Preview: West Ham United vs. Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic could record back-to-back defeats and damage their chances of Premier League survival if they fail to clinch all three points at Upton Park against West Ham United this weekend.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez is no stranger to dragging Wigan out of the bottom three, and they could move into safety if they win depending on goal difference with Aston Villa.

In contrast, the Hammers could leapfrog Fulham into 10th place if manager Sam Allardyce steers his side to victory on home turf against the Latics on Saturday.

Wigan managed to come out on top with a 2-1 victory over West Ham back in October, but the Hammers will be buoyed by their 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday.

Andy Carroll is expected to start up front for the home side, while Wigan are likely to line up with an attack of Callum McManaman, Shaun Maloney and Arouna Kone.

Recent form

West Ham United: DDDWL

Wigan Athletic: LDWWL

Possible starting lineups

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien; Diame, O'Neil; Jarvis, Nolan, Vaz Te; Carroll

Wigan Athletic: Joel; Alcaraz, Scharner, Figueroa; Boyce, Gomez, McCarthy, Beausejour; McManaman, Kone, Maloney

Sports Mole says: 2-1