Blackburn v Wigan preview

Latics look to stretch unbeaten run

By Amanda Cornforth   Last updated: 21st March 2008

Jason Koumas

Koumas: Banned

Skysports.com prediction: Blackburn 1 Wigan 1

Sky Bet odds: Blackburn 8/11 Draw 9/4 Wigan 10/3

One to watch: Roque Santa Cruz

Bet on Saturday's match

Related links

Teams

Also see

Wigan boss Steve Bruce hopes his side can maintain their recent revival against Lancashire rivals Blackburn at Ewood Park on Saturday.

The Latics stretched their unbeaten run to four matches and opened up a six-point gap between themselves and the bottom three following their 1-0 win over Bolton last week.

Bruce got his first victory after taking charge of Wigan with a 5-3 win over Rovers at the JJB Stadium in December, and he will be looking for a similar performance on Saturday.

Missing

Midfielder Jason Koumas will miss the trip after he was sent off five minutes into the relegation clash with Bolton and begins a three-match ban. Kevin Kilbane is expected to come into the side.

Antoine Sibierski is unlikely to play as well after sustaining a calf injury while preparing to come on against Wanderers.

Striker Emile Heskey is still struggling with a foot injury but he and Marcus Bent (shin) should both be available.

On track

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is keen to get his side's campaign back on track after picking up just one point from their last two games.

Rovers will be without Australia international Brett Emerton for the clash after the midfielder was forced off during last week's defeat at West Ham after suffering a recurrence of groin trouble.

He has undergone scans this week to determine the extent of the injury and Hughes is hopeful he will be fit to return next week.

Captain Ryan Nelsen stepped up his return from a hamstring injury with a run-out for the reserves in midweek but Wigan's visit comes too soon.

New signing Johann Vogel is yet to receive international clearance.