clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Wigan face Eagles in 4th Round tie

I take a look at what this weekend's FA Cup 4th round tie vs Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos

This time last year, Wigan were preparing for a trip to Non-league Macclesfield in what proved a more difficult tie than what met the eye, a Jordi Gomez penalty sealed the win for the Latics as the 1-0 win at Moss Rose set up a 5th round tie away to Huddersfield, Uwe Rosler will want a similar outcome this weekend. This is weighing up to be a rather tasty tie with a possible upset on the cards, in-form Wigan face a revived but still struggling Crystal Palace side. Tony Pulis' men swept a side West Brom in the last round with a great sense of ease whilst Wigan had to overcome MK Dons at the second time of asking.

I am very eager ahead of this clash as a good Championship faces a Premier League struggler there is always room for an upset on the cards. Wigan will be looking to keep their hopes of retaining the Cup alive whilst Crystal Palace will hope to eliminate the hopes of an upset. With both teams having a revival under their recent management change both teams have seen a major improvement in their football and league position over the Christmas period with Palace losing only twice in their last 6 and Wigan only losing the once.

Wigan manager Uwe Rosler isn't fazed by Premier League opposition and believes Wigan can come out of the game with a place in the 5th round:

"We are at home and we want to go further [in the competition].

"We know we can win games - we have shown that since I came to the club.

"I say this even when we play Crystal Palace - a Premier League side. It's up to us, are we winning or not? We have the quality in our team to finish 90 minutes as a winner." he told BBC Sport

Team News:

Wigan- Nick Powell looks set for the bench after the playing time last week whilst new boy Josh McEachran is set to not feature as the u21 England international is on a training regime to improve his fitness. Gary Caldwell and Shaun Maloney are still no where near return whilst Ivan Ramis could feature.

Crystal Palace- Paddy McCarthy has overcome a groin injury and could feature but Glenn Murray, Jerome Thomas, Kagisho Dikgacoi and Jack Hunt are absent with their respective injuries.

Our sure fire defence could prove pivotal in this tie as the London side look dangerous going forward with the likes of Jason Puncheon looking a major threat. Nicky Maynard will increase his playing time no doubt with a second consecutive start tomorrow, Roger Espinoza will be recalled to the line up after impressing against MK Dons but their could be a start for Marc Antoine Fortune after only featuring from the bench against Doncaster Rovers. This is shaping up to be an interesting match, one you will not want to miss.