Premier League: Wigan v Tottenham match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the DW Stadium

Gareth Bale in training with Spurs (GETTY IMAGES)

Both teams are in desperate need of three points for very different reasons. FA Cup finalists Wigan are looking to secure their ninth consecutive season in the Premier League but lie third from bottom and three points behind 17th place Aston Villa. Meanwhile, Tottenham are chasing a top four place to qualify for the Champions League which could be the only way to keep hold of their star man Gareth Bale.

Wigan are looking to secure their first ever league double over Tottenham after their shock 1-0 win at White Hart Lane in November. If they succeed they will climb out of the relegation zone on goal difference, above Villa who play Sunderland on Monday.

Tottenham remain in 5th place but will hope their stunning comeback against Manchester City last weekend will provide an extra impetus as they enter their last five games of the season. A win would put them up to third place and put pressure on Arsenal and Chelsea, who play Manchester United and Swansea respectively on Sunday.

This game will mark Wigan’s 300th Premier League game but the Latics will be hoping they will be celebrating for a different reason come 5pm on Saturday.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Tottenham 0 Wigan 1 (Watson), Premier League, November 2012

Tottenham 3 (Bale 2, Modric) Wigan 1 (McArthur), Premier League, January 2012

Wigan 1 (Diame) Tottenham 2 (Van der Vaart, Bale), Premier League, September 2011

STATS...

Jermaine Defoe has scored 10 goals in 12 Premier League games against Wigan.

Wigan have scored the highest percentage of second-half goals (68%) this season in the Premier League.

Wigan have only beaten Tottenham once in their seven Premier League clashes at the DW Stadium.

April is Tottenham’s worst month having lost a Premier League high of 35 matches in the month. 

Wigan have the league’s worst record against top-half opposition this season, with 13 defeats and just two wins in 16 matches.

ODDS…

Wigan to win: 3.95

Tottenham to win: 2.1

Draw: 3.65

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm