Preview: Derby day delight?

Despite claiming it is a "great situation to be in" when discusing his sides current position, Jewell has not lost the plot totally yet, and believes a victory over the weekend could see his side hold onto their Premiership status.

Filan and DeZeeuw will make it 200 not out on Saturday

A victory over Bolton, who Wigan have beaten three times and drawn once against since joining the top flight, could potentially lift the Latics up to joint twelth, depending on other results.

And with Bolton's recent inconsistent form, skipper Arjan De Zeeuw has warned Sam Allardyce's men to expect a scrap come 3:00pm on Saturday.

He said: "We're up for this one. It's a derby and it's always a massive scrap. But we have done alright against them recently and we go into the match positively.

"We know all about Nicolas Anelka and the way Bolton play. They've got a physical style and with Anelka they've got a bit more pace to get in behind.

"We know it's going to be a tough game. It was like that at their place and we managed to scrap out a win there. We're aiming to do that again."

With Charlton playing tonight against Manchester City, added pressure could be put on the Latics as a victory for Charlton would see the Addicks climb out

Camara could make the bench

of the relegation zones, leaving Wigan just two points above Sheffield United, who woul drop to 18th.

It is also a massive game for Bolton, who ended their poor run with victory over Sheffield United last weekend. Bolton sit fifth in the league, with faint hopes of catching fourth place Arsenal.

Jewell will have a fully fit outfield squad, bar Emmerson Boyce, to choose from, with Henri Camara or Julius Agohawa making it onto the bench after both missing out last weekend.

John Filan and Arjan De Zeeuw will both notch 200 appearances for the club, if both play as expected.

With a match just two days later away at Aston Villa, Wigan's season enters a crucial stage of their season. Two victories willalmost certainly guarnatee safety, anything less could see relegation continue to loom over the JJB Stadium.


Ones to Watch

Nicolas Anelka and Kevin Davies are a strong pairing up front for Bolton. Watch out for balls falling from the sky too when Bolton are in possession.

Pundits Prediction

Sky Sports have gone for a 1-0 Wiga victory, picking out Lee McCulloch as the danger man due to his knack of scoring goals against Bolton. Mark Lawrenson also goes for a 1-0 win.

My Prediction

Another derby win over the Wanderers, with McCulloch the hero once more.

Latics 2 Wanderers 1