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Preview: Manchester City vs. Wigan Athletic

Preview: Manchester City vs. Wigan Athletic
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Premier League clash between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic at the Etihad Stadium.

A dress rehearsal of the FA Cup final will take place on Wednesday when Manchester City welcome Wigan Athletic to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League.

Both sides enjoyed FA Cup semi-final wins at the weekend with Wigan recording a 2-0 win over Milwall, before City overcame Chelsea 2-1 to book their spot in the final of the competition.

The title may be all but gone for City, but they will be keen to finish the campaign in positive fashion as they attempt to build for next season. However, they are up against a Wigan side who have won four of their last five matches in all competitions, remaining unbeaten in the process.

City currently occupy second position in the table, 15 points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand, while they sit six clear of third-placed Arsenal.

Wigan, meanwhile, remain in 18th position, but have two games in hand on Aston Villa, who sit three points above them in 17th. Due to their superior goal difference, Wigan would move out of trouble with three points on Wednesday.

Wigan's recent record against City will not hand them too much confidence, however, having lost each of the last five matches, failing to score a single goal in the process. City have lost just once at the Etihad in the league this season, while Wigan have been defeated eight times on their travels.

Joe Hart is expected to return between the sticks for City after sitting out the win over Chelsea, while David Silva could also start if he overcomes a muscular injury. Edin Dzeko is also pushing for a spot in the team, but the match has come too soon for right-backs Micah Richards and Maicon.

Wigan, meanwhile, should recall on-loan Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Joel in place of Ali Al Habsi, but manager Roberto Martinez has no fresh injury concerns from the weekend win over Milwall. Arouna Kone is expected to lead the line, with Franco di Santo and Angelo Henriguez on the bench.

Recent form:

Manchester City: WLWWW

Wigan: WWWDW

Possible lineups:

Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy; Barry, Milner, Toure; Silva, Tevez, Aguero

Wigan: Joel; Alcaraz, Boyce, Figueroa; Beausejour, McCarthy, Gomez, Scharner, McManaman; Maloney, Kone

Sports Mole says: 3-1


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