It will be ‘very difficult’ for relegation-battling Wigan Athletic tonight when they face a Manchester City side that has dropped just three points at home this season, admits boss Roberto Martinez.
The Latics would move out of the Premier League bottom three with a win over Roberto Mancini’s men, who they also face in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday, May 11.
But with the Blues only dropping points at their own ground against rivals United, Martinez is aware of the tough test ahead as his side looks to secure top-flight status.
“There’s no doubt the Etihad Stadium is one of the toughest to visit in the Premier League,” he told the club website.
“It’s of course going to be very difficult. You only need to look at their home form over the last two years to see that but also be excited at the challenge that awaits.
“Looking back at our previous meetings home and away, the games have been quite close but we haven’t quite found the level needed to take a result.”
Wigan will be without Ben Watson for the clash but have no other injury concerns as they enter their final seven games of the campaign, with two in hand after FA Cup commitments.
The match is the Latics’ second of three in seven days following their 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Millwall on Saturday before their trip to West Ham this weekend.
But Martinez insisted the side is at its best and focused on their relegation battle rather than being distracted by the excitement of the club’s first ever FA Cup final next month.
“This is the most important game right now and the start of an exciting run of fixtures until the end of the season,” he said.
“I do feel internally this team is as strong as it has been all season, and as you can imagine everyone is desperate to show what they can do and what they can offer in the remaining games.
“Right now it’s not about how many minutes players are going to get on the pitch, it’s about the quality they bring to the team and the attitude they bring to these hugely significant games.”
Picture courtesy of BBC Sport, via YouTube, with thanks.
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