On Sky
Huddersfield Town entertain Wigan in today’s 5th Round FA Cup tie looking to make it a double Huddersfield celebration after the Rugby side Huddersfield Giants defeated Wigan yesterday at the stadium.
Huddersfield are boosted with the returns of Peter Clarke, Neil Danns & Alex Smithies to the squad.
It is also the first match for new manager Mark Robins and with Wigan boss Roberto Martinez confirming some of his squad players will feature, a cup upset could be on the cards!
Vital Quotes: Mark Robins
‘I`ve been knocked out of the FA Cup already this season by Tottenham at White Hart Lane!’
‘This is a different challenge; Roberto`s teams always play good football and it is a game to look forward to.
‘I think all games have to be viewed as an opportunity and we get to put our wits against Premier League opposition. We were possibly un-fancied the other night against a Leicester side that has been flying, especially as the side suffered a heavy defeat there earlier in the season, but they went there and played really well. From what I saw in the second half, the players were more than worth the win.
‘This game allows me to have a look at the players, but we want to try and progress. We have another game pretty quickly after Sunday, so hopefully we can get them recovered and get them ready for the game on Tuesday.
‘We`ll prepare the team as best we can for Sunday – let`s hope we don`t get too much more snow!’
Huddersfield Town Team News:
Peter Clarke returns from concussion but is likely to be on the bench.
Neil Danns is back in the squad after being ineligible at Leicester.
Alex Smithies will return after a family bereavement.
Danny Ward, Keith Southern, Lee Novak & Jermaine Beckford all remain on the treatment table.
Player to watch: James Vaughan
The on loan Norwich striker will have to show some Premier League quality today, as he does every week, but will be reliant upon good service to find the goals to win today’s FA Cup Clash.
Wigan Athletic Team News:
Wigan Squad:
Al Habsi, Caldwell, Scharner, Figueroa, Beausejour, Gomez, Jones, Maloney, Espinoza, McCarthy, McArthur, Stam, McManaman, Kone, Di Santo, Henriquez, Mustoe, Golobart, Dicko, Robles, Campabadal, Alcaraz, Boyce, Lopez, Miyaichi.
Player to watch: Paul Scharner
Recently returned to the Latics and is expected to feature today, instrumental figure in his previous spell at Wigan
Match Facts & Stats
? These clubs are facing each other for the first time in 10 years. Huddersfield have won 11, and Wigan six of their 23 previous encounters
? Huddersfield registered a 2-0 home win in the first round in November 1973, when Wigan were in the Northern Premier League. The only previous FA Cup meeting between the sides.
? Victory would secure for Huddersfield a place in the last eight of the FA Cup for the first time in 41 years.
? The Latics have been knocked out by lower league opposition in two of the last three seasons; Notts County in 2010, and Swindon last year
Match Prediction:
A tight affair and it could go either way.
A 1-0 winner but which way i’m not sure today!
This is what I hope
Huddersfield 1-0 Wigan
Next Fixtures:
Nottingham Forest (A) 19 Feb 19:45
