Wigan v Everton

Barclays Premier League
Venue: DW Stadium Date: Saturday, 30 April Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live, full commentary on BBC Radio Manchester DAB and BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8FM, 1485MW and DAB and listen on Absolute Radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

TEAM NEWS

Defender Maynor Figueroa is available for Wigan after serving a two-match suspension.

The only absentee is reserve goalkeeper Mike Pollitt, who has undergone minor surgery on his elbow.

Everton could be bolstered by the return of Mikel Arteta, who is back in training after missing the last five matches with a hamstring problem.

John Heitinga is doubtful with a similar injury, while Tim Cahill’s foot problem means he is unlikely to start.

Wigan

Injured: Pollitt (elbow)

Everton

Doubtful: Arteta, Baxter & Heitinga (all hamstring), Cahill (foot)

Injured: Barkley (broken leg), Fellaini & Saha (both ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

Roberto Martinez maintains that his Wigan side “clicked as a team” 10 weeks ago, which raises concerns about their ability to avoid relegation given the fact they have only accrued two points from seven matches.

We’ve a real need for points at the moment and whether we get them or not will be decided by our performance and the help from our fans Wigan manager Roberto Martinez

The Latics have not risen above the bottom four in 2011 and currently occupy 18th position. Martinez is glad to be playing at the DW Stadium after three straight away matches, but there has been little in the way of home comfort for his side this season.

Wigan’s home record is the second worst in the division, and only as good as Everton’s away form. The Latics also have a poor record in this fixture.

While they target survival, Everton’s goal is to try to finish above city rivals Liverpool and finish sixth. It’s a tough ask, with Manchester City and Chelsea still to come, but David Moyes’s Everton rarely know when they are beaten. How Wigan need to replicate that fighting spirit in the season’s run-in.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Everton have won six and lost only one of their last eight meetings with Wigan.

• The Latics have beaten Everton once in five previous home matches – 1-0 in November 2008.

Wigan

• Wigan have only managed four wins and 19 points from 17 home games – only Blackpool have earned fewer points at home.

• They have only won one of their 18 matches against top-half opposition this season – at Tottenham back in August.

• Despite scoring five goals in their last two matches, Wigan share the dubious distinction of being the least potent side in the division. They and Birmingham average exactly a goal per game.

• The Latics have not kept a clean sheet for 17 matches and they have conceded four or more goals on 11 occasions since the start of last season.

Everton

• Everton’s seven-match unbeaten streak was ended by Manchester United last weekend.

• The Toffees have opened the scoring in 16 league matches this season, losing only one (at Arsenal in February).

• Tim Howard will make his 300th appearance for an English club.

• Tony Hibbert is expected to start his 200th Premier League game for Everton.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Wigan

Rodallega: 8 goals (8 league); N’Zogbia: 6 goals (5 league)

Everton

Saha: 10 goals (7 league); Cahill: 9 goals (9 league),
Beckford: 9 goals (7 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Lee Mason

Assistant referees: Stuart Burt & Mick McDonough

Fourth official: Mike Jones

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Wigan (L2-4 v Sunderland, a): Al Habsi; Boyce (Stam 75), Alcaraz, G Caldwell, Gohouri, McCarthy (Moses 68), Diame, Watson, N’Zogbia (Di Santo 83), Cleverley, Rodallega. Subs not used: Kirkland, Thomas, Gomez, Sammon.

Everton (L0-1 v Man Utd, a): Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman (Gueye 75), Neville, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov (Cahill 46), Osman, Beckford (Anichebe 46). Subs not used: Mucha, Vellios, Mustafi, Duffy.