Wigan v Boro preview

Cattermole hoping to face former club

Last updated: 3rd October 2008

Wigan v Boro preview

Cattermole: In his Boro days

Skysports.com prediction: Wigan 3 Middlesbrough 1

SkyBet odds: Wigan 11/10 Draw 9/4 Middlesbrough 13/5

One to watch: Amr Zaki

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Middlesbrough travel to Wigan still in search of their first away win of the season.

Boro have not won on their travels in the league since December last year, but their recent form suggests a tough task awaits them at The JJB Stadium.

After a bright start to the new season, Boro have lost their last three league matches and have plummeted down the table.

Wigan, in stark contrast, have not lost a Premier League match since Chelsea defeated them in late August.

Steve Bruce's side, though, have won just once at the JJB this season when they took three points off Manchester City last weekend.

History would suggest a very close encounter - the two sides have met six times in the Premier League, each enjoying a home win each, an away win each and a draw at each stadium.

But an away win does look a long shot given Gareth Southgate's abysmal record of having won just five of his 41 away matches in the Premier League.

One of the main points of interest from the match will be Lee Cattermole's first chance to come up against his hometown club - who he left in the summer to join Wigan.

Team news

Indeed Southgate could very well look at his options and think whether selling Cattermole was prudent or not.

Midfield sees Southgate with a host of issues with Julio Arca sidelined and Gary O'Neil a doubt with illness.

If O'Neil fails to make the game then Didier Digard will start alongside Egyptian Mohamed Shawky.

Adam Johnson is also pushing hard for a start and could be preferred to Jeremie Aliadiere on the right.

At the back, Southgate also has selection problems with captain Emmanuel Pogatetz already banned and youngster Rhys Williams sidelined.

Left-back Andrew Taylor has also suffered a hip problem which forced Jonathan Grounds to be recalled from a loan spell at Norwich and he also provides cover in central defence with Robert Huth a doubt with an ankle problem.

Chris Riggott is on stand-by to come in for Huth whilst youngster Joe Bennett is also an option to be drafted in at full-back if needed.

For Wigan, ironically Cattermole is Steve Bruce's only injury doubt as he will be keen to field the same side which claimed victory over City.

Cattermole has a hamstring injury but will be doing his utmost to make the match. Michael Brown is on stand-by should the young Teessider fail a fitness test.

Full-back Erik Edman is nearing full fitness after his long-term lay-off with a knee problem - but he is unlikely to be involved.

Possible XIs

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa, Valencia, Palacios, Cattermole, Kapo, Heskey, Zaki

Boro: Turnbull, Hoyte, Riggott, Wheater, Taylor, Johnson, Shawky, Digard, Downing, Alves, Mido