Barclays Premier League

FULL-TIME REPORT

Four of the last seven matches between these two sides have ended in a 2-2 draw and, with both sides leaking goals in recent weeks, we should have seen this coming. Things started positively enough for Stoke who took advantage of some ill-discipline and poor defending on Wigan's part to take the lead through Ryan Shawcross. Peter Crouch's goal just after the break put the Potters in full control but the collapse that followed was spectacular. Inspired by the dangerous trio of Roger Espinoza, James McArthur and Shaun Maloney, all much improved from their first half performances, Wigan reacted immediately. First, James McArthur halved the deficit before Franco Di Santo volleyed in a brilliant equaliser after a slick team move. For the final half an hour, it looked like there was only going to be one winner as a shell-shocked Stoke could only stand off and watch the Latics exhibit their polished passing style. The visitors couldn't find a winner but they'll settle for a point having been two goals behind. Tony Pulis and Stoke, on the other hand, have big problems.

FULL-TIME WHISTLE

That's full-time at the Britannia Stadium. Wigan have come from behind to grab a priceless point against Stoke City. It's finished Stoke 2 Wigan2.

DI SANTO CHANCE

That was the chance. Shaun Maloney evades Cameron Jerome and delivers a pinpoint cross for Franco Di Santo. Di Santo gets in front of Geoff Cameron but can't quite get his toe on the ball and direct it into the back of the net.

TIME ADDED ON

Three minutes of added-on time is signalled by the fourth official. Can either side find a winner?

STAM TEMPTER

As Stoke City fans leave in huge numbers, Wigan continue to attack. Ronnie Stam whips in a dangerous cross but there's nobody near the ball to head in.

NO STOKE URGENCY

With four minutes to go, it's still Wigan on top. They're enjoying plenty of possession inside the Stoke half and are probing in an attempt to find an unlikely winner. The way Stoke have imploded since scoring their second is highly worrying. Meanwhile Peter Crouch comes off as Kenwyne Jones is introduced.

MCMANAMAN ON

There's a bit of movement in the Wigan dugout and Callum McManaman is going to come on for Roberto Martinez's side. The tricky winger replaces Jean Beausejour.

CROUCH SEEN OFF

Jonathan Walters puts a deep cross into the Wigan box, finding Peter Crouch and Maynor Figueroa standing at the far post. Against all odds, the Wigan defender does enough to deal with the presence of Crouch and the ball goes out for a goal kick.

STOKE BOOS

The boos are ringing around the Britannia Stadium as Wigan control possession inside the Stoke half. The Potters are failing to close the visitors down and the Latics are enjoying the freedom of the pitch at the moment.

JEROME EFFORT

In a rare Stoke chance in this second half, Cameron Jerome rolls Gary Caldwell on the edge of the Wigan box and gets a chance to pull the trigger. It's a tough angle though and his vicious strike goes wide at the near post.

ALL WIGAN

It's been all Wigan since they scored the equaliser. The difference between their first half performance and second half performance is vast. Roger Espinoza and James McArthur are pushing forward and look far more dangerous. At the moment, it looks like there's only one side who could go on to win this.

CROSSES ABSENT

Stoke are yet to deliver a decent cross in the second half - in stark contrast to the first. Cameron Jerome has a chance to put a decent ball into the box but he gets under the ball and only chips it into the Britannia Stadium crowd.

STOKE SWITCHES

Andy Wilkinson has gone into a right-back position with Dean Whitehead coming into the central midfield area. Wigan have been having plenty of joy down their left flank and Wilkinson's introduction looks to be an attempt to halt that dominance. Steven N'Zonzi sits with his arms folded on the bench though - he's not happy with being replaced.

N'ZONZI OFF

Stoke's second substitute follows promptly. Steven N'Zonzi is replaced by Andy Wilkinson - a decision which is met with derision by the home support.

JEROME ON

Tony Pulis is withdrawing Charlie Adam and bringing on Cameron Jerome. It looks like Jonathan Walters will drop back into midfield to accommodate Jerome.

SILLY FOULS

Franco Di Santo sprints 60 yards back towards his own goal, only to bundle Matthew Etherington to the ground and concede a dangerous free-kick. Wigan survive the resulting delivery but they have to cut out these silly fouls.

MCARTHUR STRIKE

And Wigan nearly take the lead! James McArthur steams through Stoke's midfield and gets his shot on target but Asmir Begovic tips the ball wide for a corner.

DI SANTO LEVELLER

Where did this come from?! In a lightning-fast counter attack, Roger Espinoza picks out Shaun Maloney at the back post who heads back across goal for Franco Di Santo. Di Santo grapples with Ryan Shawcross before volleying in from eight yards. We're all square.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

Wigan are level! Franco Di Santo scores! It's 2-2!

MALONEY OFFSIDE

Shaun Maloney has the ball in the back of the net for Wigan but he's flagged offside a long time beforehand. He'd ghosted in behind Ryan Shawcross but was half a yard behind the last defender when the ball was played.

ADAM FREE-KICK

Roman Golobart concedes yet another free-kick after grappling with Peter Crouch close to his own area. Charlie Adam takes it and sends Ali Al-Habsi the wrong way. Luckily for the wrong-footed Oman international, the ball sails just wide.

ADVANTAGE PLAYED

There's a bit of controversy here. Jonathan Walters was caught just outside the Wigan penalty box but Mike Jones plays advantage, even though Stoke found themselves 20 yards behind the point where the offence took place. The home supporters are not happy.

MCARTHUR COMPOSURE

And Wigan reply instantly! Roger Espinoza's magnificent pass with the outside of his right boot carves open the Stoke City defence and James McArthur, bursting forward from midfield, finishes confidently. It's game on.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

It's in! James McArthur halves the deficit!

CROUCH FINISH

Wigan had actually started the half on the front foot but Stoke have hit them on the counter attack. Charlie Adam carried the ball into the Wigan half before lashing towards goal. Ali Al-Habsi saves but can only push the ball into the path of the unmarked Peter Crouch, who side-foots into the back of the net. Stoke are in full control now.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

It's in! Peter Crouch doubles Stoke's lead!

BACK UNDERWAY

We're off again at the Britannia Stadium. Both teams re-emerge as they finished the second half. Can Wigan turn this one around or will Stoke continue to assert their dominance?

HALF-TIME REPORT

Both of these teams are in poor form and so relegation-threatened Wigan will have seen this game as a chance to pull themselves out of the drop zone. In reality, Stoke City have dominated. The visitors haven't got started yet and have looked a long way off the pace, conceding a number of free-kicks in dangerous areas - not the ideal tactic at the Britannia Stadium. Eventually they were made to pay as Ryan Shawcross capitalised on some slack Latics defending. Roberto Martinez made a late substitution in the first half which could lead to a change of shape. He must change something if Wigan are to gain some kind of foothold in this match.

HALF-TIME WHISTLE

After four minutes of added on time for the early injuries to Franco Di Santo and Robert Huth, the half-time whistle goes with Stoke City leading Wigan by a goal to nil.

LATE WIGAN SUB

Roger Espinoza has had a really poor game so far and he gets cautioned for a poor tackle on Matthew Etherington, again in dangerous territory. Wigan decide to make a change right at the end of the first half but it's not Espinoza to make way, it's Emmerson Boyce. Ronnie Stam is on.

BEGOVIC SPILLS

Jean Beausejour gets in a good position again and this time stays on his feet, directing a low cross into the Stoke six-yard area. Asmir Begovic tips the ball away and Ryan Shawcross clears.

BEAUSEJOUR DIVE?

Jean Beausejour sprints down the left flank and goes down under Dean Whitehead's challenge. There's very little contact though and Mike Jones isn't interested in awarding a free-kick. Tony Pulis is furious on the sideline and wants the Chilean to be booked for simulation.

MCARTHUR OVER

Wigan's best chance of the game falls to James McArthur. Jean Beausejour gets to the byline before driving the ball across the Stoke area. McArthur is arriving and attempts to guide it into the top corner but there's too much on the cross and he can only direct it over the bar.

WELCOME LULL

The current lull in proceedings will be welcomed by Wigan who have struggled to deal with Stoke's physical presence. The visitors have played without purpose so far and Roberto Martinez will be hastily preparing his half-time team talk.

ADAM DIPPER

Stoke very nearly double their lead when Charlie Adam cuts inside from the left flank and executes a cross-cum-shot with his weaker right foot. The ball curls and dips but just wide of Ali Al-Habsi's left post.

MORE WIGAN FOULS

It's more sloppy fouls from Wigan's point of view as first James McArthur bundles Peter Crouch over deep inside Latics territory and then Roger Espinoza does likewise to Dean Whitehead. The Potters can't make them pay though as Charlie Adam's delivery is poor on both occasions.

MALONEY LONE WIGAN THREAT

Wigan's main threat has come from Shaun Maloney who is drifting out to their left hand side. Some slick footwork sees him beat Ryan Shawcross inside the Stoke area but his ball across, aimed at Franco Di Santo, is intercepted by Robert Huth.

CROUCH WINNERS

Peter Crouch has won everything in the air so far and nearly has a goal for his rewards. Jonathan Walters whips in a cross in his direction but the striker is flagged offside before he can reach the ball.

SHAWCROSS FINISH

Roger Espinoza jumps all over Glenn Whelan and gives away a foul, 30 yards away from his own goal. Stoke send the defenders up and Whelan directs his free-kick towards them. James McCarthy should head the ball clear but fails to do so and it drops to Ryan Shawcross, who volleys into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

It's in! Ryan Shawcross puts Stoke ahead!

SLACK WIGAN

It's been a very slack few minutes for the visitors. First Shaun Maloney passes the ball straight out for a throw-in before Roman Golobart slices a direct pass through the middle of the pitch which ends up out of play halfway inside his own half. Roberto Martinez's side haven't got going.

ADAM DRIVE

Stoke's Charlie Adam is again in the thick of the action and drives the ball at Wigan's goal from 25 yards out. He connects with it well but the effort just whizzes past Ali Al-Habsi's far post.

GOLOBART INTERVENES

Charlie Adam darts into the penalty area to meet a Peter Crouch knock-down but Roman Golobart is alert and can lob the ball into touch. Steven N'Zonzi then sees a bending effort blocked by Gary Caldwell. It's Stoke's best period of the game so far.

CHANCES AT BOTH ENDS

Wigan attack with purpose through Shaun Maloney but his ball into Franco Di Santo bounces off the Argentinean. Stoke break upfield but Jonathan Walters' strike from 30 yards out goes high and wide. This match is just beginning to heat up.

STOKE THROWS

Stoke win a series of throw-ins deep in Wigan territory but with no Ryan Shotton or Rory Delap in the matchday squad, they don't provide as much of a threat as we are used to seeing from the Potters. Instead, the throw goes short and Charlie Adam's cross bounces out of play.

HUTH SAT UP

Robert Huth has sat up and things are looking a little more positive for him now. Nevertheless, Tony Pulis readies Matthew Upson on the touchline and the ex-England international prepares himself in the pouring rain, in case the big German defender can't continue. He's a warrior though and it looks like he's fine to continue.

CLASH OF HEADS

Robert Huth and Franco Di Santo are down after a nasty clash of heads. Di Santo has drawn blood but is soon back to his feet. Huth, on the other hand, is still on the floor and is causing the medical personnel some concern.

LOW-KEY START

It's been a low-key start here at the Britannia Stadium but the heavens have decided to open. Stoke look to have started this game with a back three - a formation which mirrors that of their opponents.

WE'RE OFF

Mike Jones gets us underway at a blustery Britannia Stadium. Can Stoke City shore up their leaky defence or will Wigan Athletic be able to lift themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone? The hosts wear their red and white stripes while Wigan are sporting their black change kit.

STARTS FOR CROUCH AND GOLOBART

He's been out of favour in recent weeks but Peter Crouch gets a recall to the Stoke City side for tonight's match. Charlie Adam also starts and looks set to play just off Crouch while Geoff Cameron returns to the Potters' back four. Wigan's Roman Golobart keeps his place in the centre of Roberto Martinez's defensive trio but the Latics do make eight changes from the weekend victory over Macclesfield Town. Angelo Henriquez and Jordi Gomez are among those who miss out but are both named on the bench, as are youth products Callum McManaman and Jordan Mustoe.

WIGAN STARTING LINE-UP

Ali Al Habsi; Roman Golobart, Gary Caldwell, Maynor Figueroa; Emmerson Boyce, James McCarthy, James McArthur, Roger Espinoza, Jean Beausejour; Shaun Maloney, Franco Di Santo. Bench: Joel Robles, Ronnie Stam, Jordan Mustoe, Jordi Gomez, David Jones, Callum McManaman, Angelo Henriquez.

STOKE STARTING LINE-UP

Asmir Begovic; Dean Whitehead, Robert Huth, Ryan Shawcross, Geoff Cameron; Jonathan Walters, Steven N'Zonzi, Glenn Whelan, Charlie Adam, Matthew Eherington; Peter Crouch. Bench: Thomas Sorensen, Matthew Upson, Andy Wilkinson, Ryan Shotton, Kenwyne Jones, Michael Owen, Cameron Jerome.

REF WATCH

Cheshire-born Mike Jones is the man-in-the-middle for this evening's game. Jones has been a Premier League official since the 2008/09 season and his first ever top-flight match involved Wigan, as they travelled to Hull City. In 13 Premier League matches this season, he has handed out 49 yellow cards and two red cards. One of those dismissals was given to a Latics man, with Maynor Figueroa seeing red in the 12th minute against Newcastle United at St James' Park.

LAST TIME OUT

These two sides shared the spoils in the reverse fixture at the DW Stadium in a 2-2 draw. Stoke came from behind twice as Jonathan Walters and then Peter Crouch cancelled out goals from Shaun Maloney and Franco Di Santo, respectively. The Britannia Stadium match last season also resulted in a four-goal share of the spoils as Ben Watson fired in a late penalty to claim a point for Wigan. In fact, four of the last seven matches between these two sides have resulted in 2-2 draws.

WIGAN TEAM NEWS

Roberto Martinez will recall a number of first team players after naming a weakened side for the weekend FA Cup victory over non-league Macclesfield Town. That is likely to mean returns to action for Franco Di Santo, Jean Beausejour and Gary Caldwell, among others. Youngster Callum McManaman, who impressed against the Silkmen, will be keen to be involved again but Antolin Alcaraz and Fraser Fyvie have injuries.

STOKE TEAM NEWS

Stoke City will welcome back first-choice goalkeeper Asmir Begovic after he was rested for the loss to Manchester City on Saturday, meaning Thomas Sorensen will drop to the bench. Geoff Cameron, who has been suffering from a tight hamstring, should be fit enough to start too while Glenn Whelan, who has escaped punishment for a horror tackle at the weekend, is free to start in central midfield. With speculation continuing over Kenwyne Jones' future at the club, out-of-favour Peter Crouch may hold hopes of regaining his place up front.

MATCH PREVIEW

Lowly Wigan Athletic may see their trip of out-of-form Stoke City as an opportunity to pull themselves out of the Premier League drop zone. Tony Pulis' side have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions and have only their form at the back end of 2012 to thank for a relatively stable league position. Wigan's form isn't much more impressive though - the Latics have just one Premier League win since the end of November. They do have the capability to spring a surprise away from home though, with wins at Aston Villa, Tottenham, West Ham and Southampton so far this season and so Stoke will have to be on their guard at the Britannia Stadium tonight.