Preview: Wigan Athletic vs. Sunderland

Wigan Athletic are desperate to pull themselves away from the relegation zone and they will try to claw their way out by grabbing maximum points against Sunderland this weekend.

The Latics are just one place above the dropzone in the Premier League table due to goal difference and they may feel that they can get a result against the Black Cats, who have had an inconsistent campaign.

The North-East side will take encouragement from their 3-0 win over West Ham United at the weekend but they will be hoping to forget their FA Cup third-round defeat to Bolton Wanderers.

Ronnie Stam is likely to be placed in Wigan manager Roberto Martinez's defence following the long-term injury blow suffered by Ivan Ramis, while Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is expected to keep Steven Fletcher up front with David Vaughan and Sebastian Larsson in midfield.

Recent form

Wigan: LLWLD

Sunderland: WWLLW

Possible starting lineups

Wigan: Al Habsi; Figueroa, Caldwell, Stam; Beausejour, McArthur, Jones, Boyce, McCarthy; Maloney, Di Santo

Sunderland: Mignolet; Gardner, O'Shea, Bramble, Colback; Johnson, Vaughan, Larsson, McClean; Fletcher, Sessegnon

Sports Mole says: 1-1