Wigan home to Newcastle

Hope Wigan are relegated.

Hope to see you at Wembley.

So Newcastle survived on Thursday night against ten men, but only with a last minute goal from Cisse. But their run of injuries continues - Cabaye had to go off. He is likely to miss tomorrow's match along with Krul, Collocini and Ben Arfa.

Wigan's misfortune with wingers continues too. McManaman is likely to miss the game, while Miyaichi is out for the season.

Nevertheless, Martinez has a strong squad to choose from. Al Habsi, Caldwell, McArthur, Espinoza and Di Santo are all available to play. It's an important game for Wigan, so I would expect Al Habsi, McArthur and Di Santo to return.

But with midweek games becoming more frequent, Martinez will have to rely on a wider first team squad and learn to rotate his players.

Aston Villa play QPR this afternoon, so the league table will look worse for Wigan tonight. But if they play as they did at Everton, the table could look much more comfortable tomorrow night.

Every game is a cup final for Wigan. They lie six points from safety, so a win today is necessary to close the gap.

It's a familiar position to Martinez and the Wigan team. Will their experience help them towards survival?

Wigan have had a week to recuperate from their cup win, while Newcastle had a testing Europa League game on Thursday. I expect Martinez to play his strongest team ahead of the international break.

Al Habsi
Scharner Alcaraz Figueroa
Boyce McCarthy McArthur Beausejour
Di Santo Kone Maloney

Wigan's run in resumes at home to Norwich after the break. After that they are away to QPR, followed by a real cup tie at Wembley.

Dedicated.

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Thanks, guys.

1-0 will be enough!

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A great first half performance by Wigan. Their passing, both short and long, was sensational. So they deserved to go in at half time at least one up.

I can't comment on the tackle, which I haven't yet seen in detail, I'm afraid.

Newcastle came out more strongly after the break, and threatened much more. They pressed Wigan, gained the ball and scored. The second half was even, so Wigan deserved their second goal, despite the possibility of hand ball.

Wigan remain three points behind Villa with a game in hand, and four behind Southampton and Sunderland. And Sunderland and Southampton still have to play each other. There is everything to play for!