Moyes wary of Wigan threat
The Merseysiders have picked up seven points from their last three matches at the JJB Stadium and although Wigan are currently experiencing a dip in home form, having neither won nor scored in their last three games, Moyes believes they cannot be underestimated.
“You can’t take anything for granted in this league and we will have to play well if we are going to come away with the points,” he said.
“I think Wigan are a good side, I think they are strong and they work very hard.
“I think Steve Bruce has got himself a good group of players and the game will be hard, it always is against Wigan and against Steve’s teams.
“They are a good footballing side, they have good players in the team and they also a strong side.
“They have been a little bit unlucky so far this season, one or two things have gone against them and I see them as a side that will certainly be a Premier League team next season.”
If Everton do manage to defeat Wigan, it will be the first time in over four years that they won three consecutive away matches having also recently defeated Bolton and West Ham on the road.
Moyes insists that statistic is not a major motivation for his side but admitted it would be a huge help to Everton’s ambitions to again finish in the top five.
Moyes said: “How many clubs have won three away from home? We had a decent away record last year and we have started well this year. It would be great if we do win because I don’t think too many teams do that, possibly the big teams but after that it is a very hard thing to do.”
Wigan manager Steve Bruce, meanwhile, believes this could be a crucial week in the club’s season.
A year into his tenure at the JJB stadium, Bruce has not been able to secure back-to-back victories in the Premier League.
But he feels they have every chance of changing that situation in the next few days when they face Everton tonight and West Brom on Saturday.
Wigan have taken only five points from a possible 18 at home but Bruce said: “We hope this is our time. If we can put a couple of results together that will push us up the table.
“It is very difficult, though, for any team in the bottom half of the table to win back to back. I have not been able to do that here.”
WIGAN (4-5-1, likely): Kirkland, Taylor, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, De Ridder, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Kapo, Camara.
EVERTON (4-4-2, likely): Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Arteta, Cahill, Neville, Osman, Saha, Yakubu.
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