LIVE MATCH CENTRE
19 January, 2013
| Wigan Athletic |
FT
23
|
Sunderland |
David Vaughan (og) 4'
1 - 0
1 - 1
Craig Gardner (p) 17'
1 - 2
Steven Fletcher 20'
1 - 3
Steven Fletcher 42'
Ángelo Henríquez 79'
2 - 3
HT:
1 - 3
DW Stadium (Attendance: 19,219)
Wigan Athletic
Ali Al Habsi
26
Emmerson Boyce
17
Gary Caldwell
5
Maynor Figueroa
31
Ronnie Stam
23
James McCarthy
4
James McArthur
16
Jean Beausejour
22
Shaun Maloney
10
Franco Di Santo
9
Jordi Gómez
14
Substitutes
Roger Espinoza
18
Ángelo Henríquez
11
Mauro Boselli
19
David Jones
6
Callum McManaman
15
Joel
1
Román Golobart
25
Sunderland
22
Simon Mignolet
8
Craig Gardner
16
John O'Shea
19
Titus Bramble
14
Jack Colback
7
Sebastian Larsson
4
Alfred Ndiaye
15
David Vaughan
21
Adam Johnson
28
Stephane Sessegnon
26
Steven Fletcher
Substitutes
2
Phillip Bardsley
27
Ahmed Elmohamady
23
James McClean
11
James McFadden
12
Matthew Kilgallon
20
Keiren Westwood
10
Connor Wickham
Referee: Anthony Taylor
90'
Game Over
Wigan Athletic 2-3 Sunderland
90'
Shot
James McClean (Sunderland)
90'
Throw-In
Jack Colback (Sunderland)
90'
Throw-In
Mauro Boselli (Wigan Athletic)
90'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
90'
Goal Kick
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
90'
Substitution
Ahmed Elmohamady on for David Vaughan (Sunderland)
90'
Shot
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
90'
Cross
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
90'
Foul
Maynor Figueroa fouled by Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
90'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
89'
Cross
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
89'
Corner Kick
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
89'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
88'
Goal Kick
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
87'
Cross
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
86'
Goal Kick
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
86'
Shot
Mauro Boselli (Wigan Athletic)
86'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
85'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
85'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
85'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
84'
Substitution
Phillip Bardsley on for Stephane Sessegnon (Sunderland)
83'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Ángelo Henríquez (Wigan Athletic)
83'
Foul
Jack Colback fouled by Ángelo Henríquez (Wigan Athletic)
83'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
82'
Goal Kick
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
82'
Shot
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
81'
Throw-In
Jack Colback (Sunderland)
80'
Throw-In
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
79'
Goal
Ángelo Henríquez (Wigan Athletic), Assist by Shaun Maloney
79'
Shot on Target
Ángelo Henríquez (Wigan Athletic)
79'
Cross
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
79'
Throw-In
Jack Colback (Sunderland)
78'
Offside
Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
78'
Throw-In
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
77'
Substitution
Mauro Boselli on for Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
77'
Throw-In
Jack Colback (Sunderland)
76'
Goal Kick
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
75'
Shot
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
75'
Free Kick
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
75'
Substitution
James McClean on for Adam Johnson (Sunderland)
75'
Foul
James McCarthy fouled by Alfred Ndiaye (Sunderland)
74'
Corner Kick
Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
74'
Cross
Stephane Sessegnon (Sunderland)
72'
Shot
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
72'
Free Kick
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
72'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Titus Bramble (Sunderland)
72'
Foul
Jordi Gómez fouled by Titus Bramble (Sunderland)
72'
Foul
Shaun Maloney fouled by David Vaughan (Sunderland)
72'
Throw-In
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
71'
Substitution
Ángelo Henríquez on for Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
69'
Goal Kick
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
69'
Shot
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
69'
Corner Kick
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
68'
Cross
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
68'
Free Kick
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
68'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Jack Colback (Sunderland)
68'
Foul
Shaun Maloney fouled by Jack Colback (Sunderland)
65'
Foul
Shaun Maloney fouled by Jack Colback (Sunderland)
65'
Cross
Adam Johnson (Sunderland)
65'
Goal Kick
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
64'
Shot
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
64'
Goal Kick
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
63'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
63'
Shot
Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
63'
Corner Kick
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
62'
Corner Kick
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
62'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
62'
Cross
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
62'
Throw-In
Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
61'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
60'
Throw-In
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
59'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
59'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
58'
Foul
Shaun Maloney fouled by Alfred Ndiaye (Sunderland)
57'
Cross
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
57'
Throw-In
Jack Colback (Sunderland)
56'
Throw-In
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
55'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
55'
Throw-In
Jack Colback (Sunderland)
54'
Shot on Target
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
53'
Goal Kick
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
52'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
52'
Shot
Alfred Ndiaye (Sunderland)
52'
Cross
Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
51'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
51'
Shot
Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)
51'
Cross
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
50'
Free Kick
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
50'
Foul
Jordi Gómez fouled by Jack Colback (Sunderland)
50'
Shot on Target
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
49'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
48'
Throw-In
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
47'
Cross
Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
47'
Shot on Target
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
46'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
46'
Substitution
Roger Espinoza on for Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
46'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
46'
Start Half
45'
Half Over
Wigan Athletic 1-3 Sunderland
45'
Cross
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Corner Kick
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Shot on Target
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Shot on Target
Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Cross
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Corner Kick
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Foul
Jordi Gómez fouled by David Vaughan (Sunderland)
45'
Foul
Shaun Maloney fouled by Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
44'
Throw-In
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
44'
Offside
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
42'
Cross
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
42'
Goal
Steven Fletcher (Sunderland), Assist by Adam Johnson
42'
Shot on Target
Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
42'
Free Kick
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
41'
Foul
Steven Fletcher fouled by Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
41'
Foul
Adam Johnson (Sunderland)
40'
Throw-In
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
39'
Cross
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
39'
Foul
Maynor Figueroa fouled by Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
38'
Throw-In
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
38'
Throw-In
Jack Colback (Sunderland)
37'
Cross
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
37'
Corner Kick
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
35'
Foul
Jordi Gómez fouled by John O'Shea (Sunderland)
34'
Shot
David Vaughan (Sunderland)
34'
Throw-In
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
32'
Foul
Titus Bramble fouled by Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
32'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
31'
Foul
James McCarthy fouled by Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
31'
Cross
Alfred Ndiaye (Sunderland)
30'
Foul
Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)
29'
Shot on Target
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
28'
Foul
Jack Colback fouled by Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
27'
Corner Kick
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
27'
Foul
James McArthur fouled by Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
26'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
26'
Free Kick
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
26'
Foul
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
24'
Foul
Simon Mignolet fouled by Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
24'
Throw-In
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
24'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
23'
Foul
Stephane Sessegnon fouled by Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
22'
Throw-In
Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
20'
Goal
Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
20'
Shot on Target
Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
20'
Shot on Target
Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
20'
Cross
Alfred Ndiaye (Sunderland)
20'
Shot on Target
David Vaughan (Sunderland)
20'
Throw-In
Jack Colback (Sunderland)
19'
Throw-In
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
19'
Foul
Jack Colback fouled by Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
18'
Throw-In
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
17'
Penalty Goal
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
17'
Shot on Target
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
17'
Free Kick
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
15'
Foul
James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic)
15'
Shot
Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)
15'
Free Kick
Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)
15'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
15'
Foul
Adam Johnson fouled by Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
14'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
14'
Cross
Adam Johnson (Sunderland)
14'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
12'
Cross
Jordi Gómez (Wigan Athletic)
12'
Throw-In
Jack Colback (Sunderland)
11'
Foul
Franco Di Santo fouled by Alfred Ndiaye (Sunderland)
11'
Throw-In
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
10'
Throw-In
Craig Gardner (Sunderland)
10'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
9'
Shot
John O'Shea (Sunderland)
9'
Cross
Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)
9'
Free Kick
Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)
9'
Foul
Adam Johnson fouled by Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
9'
Throw-In
Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
7'
Shot
Alfred Ndiaye (Sunderland)
7'
Cross
Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)
7'
Free Kick
Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)
7'
Foul
Adam Johnson fouled by Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
6'
Offside
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
4'
Own Goal
David Vaughan (Wigan Athletic)
4'
Shot
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
4'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
4'
Throw-In
Jack Colback (Sunderland)
4'
Shot
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
4'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
4'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
3'
Throw-In
Jack Colback (Sunderland)
1'
Foul
Jordi Gómez fouled by Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)
1'
Start Half

This was the archetypal 'game of two halves'. Despite David Vaughan's early own goal which gave Wigan the lead, the first period was dominated by Sunderland, whose high-tempo, attacking game gave the hosts all sorts of problems. Two great Steven Fletcher strikes, along with a Craig Gardner penalty, put the visitors in control at half-time. However the Wigan side which emerged in the second half was a far cry from the flat, predictable outfit which limped along in the opening 45 minutes. A relentless stream of pressure forced Sunderland deeper and deeper but the visitors defended staunchly to frustrate Roberto Martinez's men. Angelo Henriquez's header briefly gave the hosts some hope of redemption but it wasn't enough to deny Sunderland their first victory after falling behind since Martin O'Neill's first game at the helm. The Latics remain firmly threatened by relegation and could be in the drop zone by tonight if Aston Villa get anything from their trip to West Brom.
There's the full-time whistle. A breathless game has finished Wigan Athletic 2 Sunderland 3.
This is relentless pressure in the dying moments. It looks like Wigan's efforts will be in vain though, as Jordi Gomez's twist on the edge of the area ends in him ballooning the ball over the bar. Ahmed Elmohamady is on for Sunderland in place of David Vaughan.
Sunderland scramble the ball away to the edge of the penalty area where James McCarthy's shot is blocked by a desperate dive. There will be five minutes of added on time here.
Roberto Martinez is barking orders on the sideline as Wigan try to grab a point in the final moments here. Sunderland are looking increasingly desperate at the back, hacking at loose balls in their own penalty area.
Roger Espinoza breaks down the left flank and chips the ball up to the far post. Mauro Boselli is there but he's crowded out by Sunderland defenders and can only head the ball over.
Angelo Henriquez catches Jack Colback in the face in an aerial challenge which earns him a yellow card. It also gives Sunderland a chance to catch their breath in between Wigan sieges. Phil Bardsley comes on for Stephane Sessegnon, too.
Could Sunderland live to regret those missed opportunities during this second half? They have been a threat on the break but haven't been able to find the net and now they face a stern test against this Wigan side. Maynor Figueroa takes aim from 30 yards but his ferocious shot whizzes just over.
What a finish we have here! Shaun Maloney clips the ball to the far post and 18-year-old Angelo Henriquez is there, unmarked, to head the ball into the net. The last ten minutes are now going to be one big Wigan assault on Simon Mignolet's goal.
It's there! Angelo Henriquez for Wigan!
Wigan introduce Mauro Boselli for Franco Di Santo in a last-ditch attempt to get something from the game. Roberto Martinez is now employing what is essentially a 2-5-3 formation. Time is running out though.
Wigan get another free-kick within range of Sunderland's goal as Alfred N'Diaye clips James McArthur. Jordi Gomez steps up again but it curls over Mignolet's bar. Meanwhile Adam Johnson is replaced by James McClean for the Black Cats.
Wigan introduce striker Angelo Henriquez in place of Emmerson Boyce. He's in the thick of the action straight away, laying the ball off for Jordi Gomez who is pulled down by Titus Bramble just outside the Sunderland area. Shaun Maloney takes it and Simon Mignolet sees the ball clip his right-hand post and go out for a goal kick.
Stephane Sessegnon has made a mess of that! Another fantastic break involving Steven Fletcher and David Vaughan ends in Sessegnon bearing down on goal. He hesitates, letting Gary Caldwell in, before trying to get the ball on his right foot. In the end, Caldwell gets in to clear and the Sunderland players have their heads in their hands.
Wigan are firmly camped in Sunderland territory and are hoping to wear down the visitors. Shaun Maloney ghosts in behind Jack Colback who pulls down the Scot in a dangerous area to the right of the penalty box. He gets cautioned and gives away a threatening free-kick. Jordi Gomez hits it at goal and the ball takes a deflection off Steven Fletcher before clipping the bar and going over.
More pressure from the hosts. Roger Espinoza squeezes the ball out wide for Shaun Maloney who cuts inside but slashes the ball wide.
The pressure is mounting for Sunderland. Wigan continue to probe and a Jean Beausejour cross is hacked behind by John O'Shea. From the corner, Franco Di Santo smashes the ball at goal and it seems to hit Sebastian Larsson's hand but the penalty is not given. Wigan are furious and Beausejour is booked for his over-the-top protestations.
Wigan are enjoying much more possession and territory since half-time but are finding it extremely difficult to create any real chances because Sunderland are very well organised.
The contrasts in style between these two teams is obvious. Wigan's build-up play is slow and predictable while Sunderland are breaking with pace and purpose. The hosts surely have to change their game plan if they're going to get back into this.
Shaun Maloney feeds the ball in to James McArthur who had ghosted in behind David Vaughan. McArthur gets a nudge from the Sunderland midfielder, sparking half-hearted penalty appeals from the home faithful but Anthony Taylor isn't interested.
Sunderland counter attack with fantastic pace as Stephane Sessegnon slides the ball into Sebastian Larsson. Larsson's first-time shot is driven just wide of the far post and Wigan have a big let-off.
What a save by Simon Mignolet! Patient build-up from Wigan ended in Franco Di Santo laying the ball off for Shaun Maloney, whose goalbound effort was fantastically tipped around the post by Mignolet.
Wigan have started the half well with James McArthur and Shaun Maloney both having half-chances for the hosts. Roger Espinoza has slotted into midfield alongside McArthur and James McCarthy.
We're back underway at the DW Stadium, Can Wigan somehow find a way of troubling Sunderland's back four, while keeping Steven Fletcher quiet at the other end? Roger Espinoza is on for Wigan at half-time, replacing Ronnie Stam.
When David Vaughan directed the ball into his own goal just minutes into the first half, it looked like Sunderland were in for a rough day. They hadn't come from behind to win in the Premier League since Martin O'Neill's first Black Cats match. However Wigan were completely absent for the entirety of the half. First Craig Gardner smashed home a penalty after Emmerson Boyce handled a Sebastian Larsson free-kick inside his own area. Two fantastic Steven Fletcher goals followed, with his second strike in particular a glorious finish. Wigan were flat, predictable and thoroughly poor and Roberto Martinez has a big team talk if they're going to turn this one around.
Anthony Taylor blows his whistle to bring the curtain down on a thoroughly entertaining half of Premier League football. It's Wigan Athletic 1 Sunderland 3.
Ronnie Stam drives the ball at goal but Simon Mignolet opts to help the ball over his own bar, giving Wigan a last chance to reply before half-time. Again they go short though and the chance disappears.
Wigan almost reply immediately but Jean Beausejour's drive across goal can't pick out a team mate. He was flagged offside regardless.
A direct free-kick is aimed towards Steven Fletcher, who flicks the ball on for Adam Johnson. Johnson can't sort his feet out to get a shot at goal and instead feeds the ball back to Fletcher, whose left-footed finish is precise, powerful and absolutely fantastic.
It's 3-1 to Sunderland! Steven Fletcher scores again!
In a phase of play which sums up Wigan's half, Maynor Figueroa hesitates on the ball before attempting to pick out Jean Beausejour, but his pass is behind the Chilean and goes out for a throw-in.
Roberto Martinez's men are extremely tentative going forward. Their build-up play is slow and, at times, predictable, meaning the likes of Alfred N'Diaye, who has been excellent on his full debut, is having no trouble cleaning up in midfield.
That was a great chance for David Vaughan to make amends for his own goal. The ball falls to the Welsh midfielder inside the Wigan box, towards the right-hand side. It looks like an ideal chance to try and bend the ball into the far corner with his left boot, but he pulls his effort wide of the near post.
Former Wigan player Titus Bramble has had Franco Di Santo in his back pocket so far. In their most recent tussle, Bramble gets a kick in the face for his troubles as the Argentinean attempts an overhead kick. The defender is made of strong stuff though and gets back to his feet almost immediately.
Wigan are being restricted to efforts from long range. Jordi Gomez sees the ball skip up off the turf, inviting him to attempt an outrageous volley from 30 yards but the ball loops straight into the arms of Simon Mignolet.
James McArthur's deflected shot from 25 yards bobbles into the welcome hands of Simon Mignolet - a strike which is greeted with cheers from the visiting Sunderland fans. That's Wigan's first real effort of the game, not counting the farcical own goal.
Since scoring, somewhat fortuitously, Wigan have been outplayed in every single aspect of this game. Sunderland are playing with a midfield three which is negating any central dominance that Wigan may have anticipated having if the visitors adopted their usual 4-4-2 system.
Alfred N'Diaye puts a great cross into the Wigan box and Steven Fletcher's header is parried by Ali Al-Habsi. The ball falls back to Fletcher who volleys it into the roof of the net. That's his fifth goal in seven appearances against the Latics and Sunderland are ahead.
It's 2-1 to Sunderland! Steven Fletcher scores!
Replays suggest that the ball did indeed strike a stray Wigan hand inside the penalty area. Craig Gardner's penalty was convincing and Sunderland, who haven't come from behind to win a Premier League game since Martin O'Neill's first game, must now have ambitions to emerge victorious.
Craig Gardner sends Ali Al-Habsi the wrong way! It's 1-1.
Wigan's Emmerson Boyce goes into the book after tripping the tricky Adam Johnson in a dangerous area, 20 yards from goal. Sebastian Larsson takes the free-kick and the ball hits the hand of a Wigan defender. Anthony Taylor awards a penalty kick.
Adam Johnson races off down the left flank and whips an excellent ball into the 'corridor of uncertainty'. Steven Fletcher is in there but doesn't react quick enough to poke the ball past Ali Al-Habsi.
The home support are very frustrated by that. Having sent the centre backs forward for a free-kick, Wigan decide to take the set piece short and Sunderland snuff out the opportunity. Jean Beausejour could have put the ball into a decent area and given the Latics a chance of doubling their lead but the chance is wasted.
Sebastian Larsson, whose earlier cross had found Fletcher, puts another excellent delivery into the area and picks out John O'Shea. O'Shea's header dips just wide of the post though. It's a good response from Sunderland since going behind.
What a chance for Sunderland! Alfred N'Diaye heads over the bar from six yards out after Steven Fletcher's deft flick-on. If roles were reversed there you have to feel the Black Cats would be level.
Wigan's first real attack carved open Sunderland's defence and Jean Beausejour's excellent cut-back found the opposite wing-back Ronnie Stam. Stam fluffed his goalbound effort but David Vaughan's outstretched leg deflected the ball past Simon Mignolet.
It's in! An own goal from David Vaughan puts Wigan ahead!
Wigan have an early problem. Ronnie Stam, who has come in for the injured Ivan Ramis, has gone down injured. Initially it looked a bad one but the Dutchman is soon back to his feet and can continue.
Referee Anthony Taylor blows his whistle and Wigan Athletic get us underway at the DW Stadium. The home side are in their blue and white shirts while Sunderland are in their familiar red and white stripes.
It looks like Emmerson Boyce will come go back into Wigan's back three today with Ronnie Stam taking his place as right wing-back. New signings Joel Robles, Angelo Henriquez and Roger Espinoza make Roberto Martinez's bench. Meanwhile Steven Fletcher starts up front for Sunderland who also include Alfred N'Diaye in their starting XI for the first time.
Simon Mignolet; Craig Gardner, John O'Shea, Titus Bramble, Jack Colback; Adam Johnson, Alfred N'Diaye, David Vaughan, Sebastian Larsson; Stephane Sessegnon, Steven Fletcher. Subs: Kieren Westwood, Connor Wickham, James McFadden, Matthew Kilgallon, James McClean, Ahmed Elmohamady, Phil Bardsley.
Ali Al Habsi; Emmerson Boyce, Gary Caldwell, Maynor Figueroa; Jean Beausejour, James McArthur, James McCarthy, Jordi Gomez, Ronnie Stam; Shaun Maloney, Franco Di Santo. Subs: Joel Robles, David Jones, Angelo Henriquez, Callum McManaman, Roger Espinoza, Mauro Boselli, Roman Golobart.
Cheshire-based referee Anthony Taylor will be in charge of today's clash. Taylor, who refereed his first Premier League match almost three years ago, has handed out only 26 yellow cards in his 14 matches in the top division this season. However his tally of five dismissals issued is as many as any other official.
Sunderland and Martin O'Neill will be hopeful that Steven Fletcher will be fit to start the game after missing the midweek FA Cup defeat to Bolton Wanderers because of illness. Alfred N'Diaye also sat out that match due to ineligibility but may be handed a start today - especially due to the ongoing absence of Lee Cattermole due to injury. David Vaughan will also be vying for that midfield place but Danny Rose, Carlos Cuellar and Wes Brown are not likely to be involved.
Roberto Martinez's Wigan have been hit by the shattering news that defender Ivan Ramis will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Antolin Alcaraz also misses out today, leaving Wigan short at the back. As a result, new signing Roger Espinoza may be thrown into the starting XI alongside Gary Caldwell and Maynor Figueroa. Angelo Henriquez, who joined on loan from Manchester United earlier this month, will also be pressing for a start. Adrian Lopez, Ryo Miyaichi and Ben Watson remain long-term absentees.
As the Premier League campaign continues its back stretch towards the end of the season, both of these sides remain firmly embroiled in a battle against relegation. While Sunderland have enjoyed a recent revival, winning five of their last eight games, Wigan have not, having won just once in their last nine. That has left the Latics teetering just above the drop zone, with only goal difference separating themselves and Aston Villa. The Black Cats are six points above their opponents today but will be wary not to get sucked back into the thick of the dogfight. Either way, the result of today's match could be a vital one by the end of the season.