WIGAN ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Hugo Rodallega of Wigan reacts to a missed chance during the Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Fulham at the DW Stadium on January 15 2011 in Wigan England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The names may not stir your emotions, but this meeting between two relegation threatened clubs should be an exciting match.
Blackburn are running out of time and chances to avoid relegation to the Championship next season. If they have any hope of staying up, three points against Wigan are an absolute must. Unfortunately for Blackburn, Wigan is right in the middle of the same relegation battle, and three points are just as valuable for Roberto Martinez and company.
Thanks to the match being scheduled for Monday, both sides will know exactly where they stand by kickoff at Ewood Park. The other teams involved in the relegation fight, Aston Villa, Queens Park Rangers and Bolton will have all played, so there will be no need to watch the out of town scoreboard.
Before you quickly dismiss this match as not worth your time, consider this. In the last two meetings between these two sides, 13 goals have been scored. Their first meeting at the DW Stadium in November was one of the more thrilling matches of the season that saw the teams trade goals back and forth before a Ayegbeni Yakubu scored on a penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time to finish at a 3-3 draw. If Monday's match is half as exciting, we're in for some fun.
Steve Kean will likely stick with his usual 4-4-2 formation with Yakubu and David Hoilett up top. Defenders Martin Olsson and Bradley Orr are doubtful with injuries, so if either or both players are unavailable, Kean may have to make some adjustments in his defense. The Rovers' form has been fairly poor over the last ten matches with only three wins against six losses and one draw.
For Roberto Martinez, he looks to have virtually his whole roster available for selection in his 4-3-3 alignment. Only Dutch defender Ronnie Stam is doubtful with a hamstring injury. With the exception of minor changes, Martinez's squad selection has been fairly consistent over the past few weeks and it's worked out well for him. Victories over Arsenal and Newcastle have lifted the Latics out of the bottom three and allowed them to control their destiny going in to the season's final two matches.
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