LONDON (SE) - Wigan Athletic will be looking to keep their survival hopes alive as they welcome Champions League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur to the DW Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Roberto Martinez's Wigan (8-7-18) are three points from safety, but have a game in hand on their nearest rivals and play fellow strugglers Aston Villa on the final matchday.
The Latics beat Saturday's visitors 1-0 at White Hart Lane earlier in the season, but Martinez is fully aware of the challenge that awaits his team this weekend.
"We'll have to be perfect; our game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane serves as a perfect example of what we need to do if we're to win the game," said Martinez in his pre-match press conference. "The only way you can compete against a team like Spurs is by being strong in every single department. They are serious contenders for a place in the Champions League qualification spots so we know the size of the challenge ahead of us, but we have to focus on ourselves and what we can do playing at our home with our fans behind us.
"This is one of three home games we have remaining this season and we must relish these opportunities, share the important feelings with the fans and do everything we can to achieve our aims. We've shown our best levels in recent weeks but just need to do a little bit more in both penalty areas. If we do that we'll be competitive against anyone."
Tottenham's stunning 3-1 comeback win over Manchester City last weekend has brought them right back into the race for the Champions League places. Gaffer Andre Villas-Boas' side (18-7-8) are just two points behind Arsenal in third, but have a game in hand over their north London rivals.
"We are in control because we have the game in hand, but the game in hand is against Chelsea," explained Villas-Boas. "It's a difficult game at Stamford Bridge and this is considering we score all the points possible before that fixture. That game against Chelsea could be the decider in the end.
Wigan have doubts over Ben Watson (broken leg) and Albert Crusat (knee), but Antolin Alcaraz (hamstring), Mike Pollitt (hip) and Ivan Ramis (knee) are out. Tottenham have doubts over Aaron Lennon (knee) and William Gallas (calf), while Younes Kaboul (thigh) and Sandro (knee) remain out.
Martinez's side have the worst home defensive record in the league, conceding 32 goals in 16 games, but have won their last two games at the DW and recorded their first home clean sheet in the win over Norwich in their last game on their own patch.
Spurs have won nine matches away from home this season - a Premier League club record and one that only champions Manchester United can better. United are also the only club to have taken more points and scored more goals on the road than Tottenham's 29 points and 31 goals.
Wigan's win over Spurs in November was only their third against the Lilywhites from 16 all-time meetings. The Latics have never done a league double over Tottenham, and Reading are the only Premier League team they have managed to beat twice this season.
More Info: - Dutch Eredivisie
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