Wigan Athletic can edge further away from the relegation zone if they clinch a crucial home win against a Liverpool side who are unlikely to secure Champions League football by the end of the season.

Roberto Martinez, who was close to joining the Reds last summer, has led his side to just one victory in seven matches, the win coming last weekend courtesy of three goals against Reading.

Meanwhile, Liverpool only have the Premier League to focus on following their exit from the Europa League, but with a 10-point gap between their eighth-placed spot and fourth, playing among the elite of European football next season appears to be a distant hope.

The two clubs played out a goalless draw in the corresponding fixture last season, but the Reds secured a 3-0 victory over Wigan at Anfield in November.

Franco di Santo and Arouna Kone are likely to start up front at the DW Stadium, while Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is expected to opt for Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge to lead the line.

Recent form

Wigan: LDDLW

Liverpool: WDDLW

Possible starting lineups

Wigan: Al-Habsi; Scharner, Caldwell, Figueroa; Boyce, McCarthy, Maloney, McArthur, Beausejour; Kone, Di Santo

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Enrique; Coutinho, Lucas, Gerrard, Downing; Suarez, Sturridge

Sports Mole says: 1-2

Previews by email