3:07PM BST 22 Sep 2012
Saturday, September 22
DW Stadium
Kick-off: 15.00 BST.
TV: Highlights BBC1 Match Of The Day.
Wigan Athletic (Possible, 4-3-2-1): Al Habsi; Ramis, Alcaraz, Caldwell,
Figueroa; Beausejour, McArthur, McCarthy; Maloney, Di Santo; Kone.
Test: Alcaraz (groin).
Fulham (Possible, 4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Reither, Hughes, Hangeland,
Riise; Duff, Baird, Sidwell, Kacaniklic; Rodallega; Berbatov.
Out: Diarra (knee), Richardson (hip), Frei (pelvis), Senderos (foot),
Dejagah (match fitness).
Referee: Lee Probert. Matches: 2, R0 Y9.
Team News
Defender Antolin Alcaraz is Wigan's only worry against Fulham at the DW
Stadium.
The centre-back picked up a groin injury on international duty with Paraguay and missed the 4-0 defeat by Manchester United last weekend but could return to the starting line-up.
Alcaraz will be given a late fitness test but the other players who returned from the international break with knocks are all fully fit.
Fulham, meanwhile, welcome back Bryan Ruiz and Mladen Petric for the trip to Wigan.
Both forwards missed last weekend's 2-0 win over West Brom and will vie for a place alongside Dimitar Berbatov though Hugo Rodallega could feature against his former club.
Mahamadou Diarra, Kieran Richardson, Kerim Frei and Philippe Senderos remain sidelined, while new recruit Ashkan Dejagah is not yet match fit.
Match Notes
There is a disparity between Fulham’s home and away record already, with two
victories and eight goals scored at Craven Cottage and as many defeats and
six conceded elsewhere.
Despite completing a double over Wigan last season, three of their four scorers were Clint Dempsey, Moussa Dembélé and Pavel Pogrebnyak - all of whom have since left the club.
But former Wigan favourite Hugo Rodallega could feature for Fulham
against his former club
Betting: Home 6-4, Away 17-10, Draw 11-5.
Stat of the game: Wigan have failed to beat Fulham in their last 11 attempts, home and away.
Si Hughes' predicition: Wigan Athletic 1 Fulham 1.
