Premier League preview: Wigan v Norwich

Wigan and Norwich will both begin their battle to avoid relegation from the English Premier League against one another at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

Roberto Martinez’s Wigan narrowly avoided the drop last term, eluding the relegation zone by just three points, and they will meet Norwich in their first game back in the English top flight, having been loitering in League One as little as two seasons ago.

Wigan will begin life after Charles N’Zogbia, following the star winger’s defection to Aston Villa in the off-season for 9.5 million pounds, and Martinez has been inactive in terms of bringing new talent to the club, only signing goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi from Bolton and midfielder David Jones as a free agent.

Norwich have also been quiet on the transfer front, bringing in the likes of Everton’s James Vaughan, Milwall’s Steve Morison and Manchester United’s Ritchie De Laet – hardly big names by any standards.

The Latics will be hoping to bury the memory of their season opener last term, when then Premier League newboys Blackpool embarrassed the hosts 4-0 at the DW.

Wigan’s form in season openers is nothing short of atrocious, having lost five of six in their past curtain raisers in the top flight.

Their pre-season form, however, has been quite the opposite – the Latics have won four of five encounters, drawing the other – meaning Martinez’s men may be poised to reverse their opening day fortunes.

Midfielder James McCarthy is in doubt for Wigan after picking up an ankle injury in the friendly against Villarreal, while goalkeeper Mike Pollitt is also out injured.

Paul Lambert’s Norwich have also had a positive off-season, winning games against Italian club Parma and Championship side Coventry City – both 3-0.

Lambert will not be able to call on the services of new signing Vaughan, who is still recovering from a knee injury.