Wigan Athletic visit a confident Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Norwich City looked destined for the drop at the beginning of the season, but manager Chris Hughton has managed some kind of miracle just in time for Christmas, beating Arsenal and Manchester United within the space of a couple of weeks.
Suddenly this match seems far from a relegation six-pointer, with any points Roberto Martinez can mastermind his side to a bonus.
Venue Carrow Road
Last season Norwich City 1 Wigan Athletic 1
Referee Lee Probert
This season’s matches 11 Y32, R1, 3.00 cards per game
Odds Norwich 6-5 Wigan 23-10 Draw 23-10
Norwich City
Subs from Martin, Howson, Jackson, Surman, Rudd, Fox, Morison, Barnett, Tierney, E Bennett, Murphy
Doubtful Whittaker (hip), R Bennett (knee), Tettey (knock), Kane (ankle), Hoolahan (knock), Surman (knee)
Injured Ruddy (thigh)
Suspended None
Form guide WWDDWD
Disciplinary record Y13 R0
Leading scorer Grant Holt 4
Wigan Athletic
Subs from Boselli, Pollitt, McManaman, López, Fyvie, Redmond, Golobart, Ramis, Maloney
Doubtful Caldwell (hamstring), Ramis (hamstring)
Injured Watson (broken leg, Jan), Alcaraz (groin, Dec), Crusat (knee, Dec), Miyaichi (ankle)
Suspended None
Form guide DLLWLL
Disciplinary record Y29 R2
Leading scorer Arouna Koné 4
SOURCE: Guardian
Head-to-head
This will be only the eighth meeting between the sides in all competitions. The previous seven encounters have resulted in three wins for Norwich, one for Wigan, and three draws.
Three of their four previous league meetings have ended in 1-1 draws – including both of last season’s Premier League games.
Norwich
Norwich’s unbeaten nine-game run has included five victories.
They have won their last four Premier League home games.
The Canaries’ tally of 22 point from 16 Premier League games is their best since 1993-94 when they had 27 at the same stage.
Only Stoke (7) and QPR (5) have scored fewer goals at home in the Premier League this season than Norwich (8) this season.
Sebastien Bassong has now scored three goals in four league appearances after only managing two in his previous 94 Premier League games.
Wigan
The Latics have won just one of their last six Premier League games (W1, D1, L4).
Only Southampton (32) and Reading (31) have conceded more Premier League goals this season than Wigan (30).
Roberto Martinez’s men have kept just two clean sheets in the league this season.
Wigan have conceded at least two goals in each of their last six Premier League games.
Arouna Kone is their top scorer with four Premier League goals this season, but he has not scored in the last five matches.
SOURCE: BBC Sport
