Latics v Manchester City - Premier League Preview

The Latics welcome the Champions Manchester City to the DW Stadium in Wednesday night’s televised game, as they go in search of back to back home wins for the first time this season.

Roberto Martinez must deal with an injury crisis as he prepares to do battle against Roberto Mancini’s unbeaten team. Shaun Maloney and captain Gary Caldwell face late fitness tests ahead of the game, with stand in skipper Ivan Ramis also struggling with a hamstring injury which forced him during their last gasp win against Reading.

Jordi Gomez

Better news for Martinez is that he is likely to be able to call upon James McArthur and Franco Di Santo, who both featured off the bench on Saturday. Midfielders Albert Crusat and Ben Watson miss out, while winger Ryo Miyaichi and defender Antolin Alcaraz remain on the sidelines.

The Latics will be keen to avenge last season’s 1-0 defeat at home to City and will also look to bring an end to a run of five consecutive defeats against the blue half of Manchester.

Martinez will be looking for his side to build on the comeback win at the weekend and will once again look towards hat-trick hero Jordi Gomez to inspire and create. The gifted Spaniard has been the victim of continual abuse from certain sections of the DW crowd, but his display against the Royals will have gone a long way to silence the critics.

Vincent Kompany

As for the visitors despite still being unbeaten Mancini will not be happy with his side, knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage for the second consecutive season, many believe nothing but a second title will ensure he holds onto his job.

French international Gael Clichy remains on the injury list having missed the last two matches with an ankle problem. Captain Vincent Kompany felt no ill effects after his 90-minute performance against Chelsea on Sunday.

Midfielder Jack Rodwell is making progress but not ready to feature, while right-back Micah Richards remains out.

Joleon Lescott is fit again after injury, but the England international is not expecting to replace Matija Nastasic in the starting XI.

Despite the difficulty of the task ahead of the Latics they will be confident of once again upsetting the odds, and will only need to look back to when they beat the then current Champions Manchester United at the DW Stadium.

Home form needs to be more consistent if they are to avoid another battle to avoid the drop, and a third win of the season in front of their own fans would be very welcome.