Preview: Wigan Athletic vs. Crystal Palace

FA Cup holders Wigan Athletic will be hoping to move a step closer to another Wembley visit when they host Crystal Palace in the fourth round on Saturday.

The Latics shocked Manchester City in the final last year but went on to be relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season.

Palace manager Tony Pulis's priority is certainly ensuring that the Eagles do not follow Wigan into the Championship, and therefore several key players could be rested for their trip to Lancashire.

Mile Jedinak, Jason Puncheon, Marouane Chamakh and Jonathan Parr could all be saved for their home game against Hull City on Tuesday, where victory would take them level on points with the Tigers.

With loanee Cameron Jerome ineligible, Dwight Gayle is likely to lead the Palace attack, while left-back Dean Moxey and midfielders Barry Bannan and Jonathan Williams could also get run outs from the off.

Chelsea youngster Josh McEachran, Wigan's third loan signing of the transfer window after Everton's Tyias Browning and Cardiff City's Nicky Maynard, is available to Latics boss Uwe Rosler.

The German, who lost for the first time in his Athletic reign at Doncaster Rovers last weekend, described McEachran's arrival as "a big scoop" and therefore could insert him straight into his starting XI.

Shaun Maloney is still unavailable as he continues rehabilitation from hip surgery, while Ivan Ramis also remains sidelined. Callum McManaman, James Perch and Marc-Antoine Fortune are fighting for recalls.

Recent form

Wigan: LDWDWD

Palace: WLWDLW

Possible starting lineups

Wigan: Al-Habsi; Perch, Boyce, Barnett, Beausejour; McArthur, Watson, McEachran, McCann; Powell, Fortune

Palace: Speroni; Mariappa, Gabbidon, Delaney, Moxey; Bolasie, Ward, Guedioura, Williams, Bannan; Gayle

Sports Mole says: 2-1