Premier League: Wigan v Swansea match preview

A look ahead to tonight’s Premier League fixture at the DW Stadium

James McArthur and Roman Golobart of Wigan celebrate their team's 3-2 victory over West Brom (GETTY IMAGES)

Wigan Athletic can move out of the bottom three for the first time since March by beating Swansea City at the DW Stadium.

Having secured a vital 3-2 win at West Brom at the weekend, the great escape may well be on again for the Latics who moved to within three points of both Newcastle and Norwich whilst possessing a superior goal difference.

Trailing at both 1-0 and 2-1, Wigan secured victory through midfielder Callum McManaman’s 80 minute strike to ensure a number of other clubs, who may have felt they were already safe, were dragged back into the relegation scrap.

Along with their battle for survival, Wigan also have the FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday to look forward to but the players must not let that game enter their minds until after their crucial clash with Swansea.

The Swans, who themselves secured their first piece of major silverware this season having beaten Bradford City 5-0 in the Capital One Cup final, don’t have much left to play for and their form has significantly dipped since their success having won only one game in the eight they have played since.

That win came against one of Wigan’s relegation rivals Newcastle and the Magpies, along with a number of other clubs, will be hoping that the Welsh side are not ready for their summer holidays quite yet.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Swansea 2 (Hernandez, Michu) Wigan 1 (Boyce), Premier League, October 2012

Wigan 0 Swansea 2 (Sigurdsson 2), Premier League, March 2012

Swansea 0 Wigan 0, Premier League, August 2011

STATS…

Wigan have never beaten Swansea in the Premier League having drawn one and lost the other two of their three meetings.

Wigan have conceded the most goals at home in the Premier League this season having shipped 34 goals in their 17 home matches.

The Latics’ 4-0 loss to Liverpool is their only home defeat from their last five having beaten both Newcastle and Norwich and drawn with Southampton and Tottenham in that run.

Swansea are without a win in seven games, with their 1-0 victory over Newcastle on March 2 their only league win since beating Bradford in the Capital One Cup final.

Only Arsenal (14), Manchester United and Manchester City (both 19) have conceded less on their travels than Swansea this season who have conceded 21.

ODDS…

Wigan to win: 1.81 (3/4)

Swansea to win: 5 (15/4)

Draw: 3.95 (5/2)

CLASSIC MATCH...

Although the clubs meet here in the top-flight things were quite different 16 years ago as the sides met in the old Third Division. Wigan recorded a 3-2 victory at their previous ground Springfield Park with two goals from Graeme Jones before Ian Kilford grabbed the winner. The season was also memorable for Wigan as they managed to win the league that year with a side that featured their current manager Roberto Martinez.

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 7.45pm.