Premier League Preview: Sunderland v Wigan

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Sunderland will be looking to pick up a first league win of the season against a Wigan side determined to get back on track.

The Black Cats have made a solid start to the campaign as they remain unbeaten, having drawn all four of their matches to date, but they will want to begin climbing the table.

They came close to picking up three points at West Ham last weekend, only to be pegged back by Kevin Nolan's last-minute equaliser.

Martin O'Neill will be stressing the importance of staying focused right to the final whistle against a Wigan side beneath them only on goal difference.

Roberto Martinez has admitted that his players have struggled since the international break earlier in September, having begun the season in positive fashion.

The Latics were defeated 4-0 by Manchester United a fortnight ago and went down to a 2-1 loss at home to Fulham last weekend to slip closer to the relegation zone.

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VIDEO: Martin O'Neill previews Wigan match

There were positives to take from a 4-1 win at West Ham in the Capital One Cup, though, and Martinez will now be aiming to push on at the Stadium of Light.

Team News

Sunderland boss O'Neill will make a late decision on winger Adam Johnson ahead of the clash with Wigan.

The 25-year-old was used as a substitute in the 2-0 Capital One Cup victory at MK Dons on Tuesday evening after recovering from a thigh problem, but did not train on Thursday and will be assessed again before kick-off even though fresh scans showed no further damage.

Defender Carlos Cuellar and midfielder Sebastian Larsson, who both missed the cup game with hamstring injuries, have returned to training and could figure, but skipper Lee Cattermole starts a three-match ban following the fifth red card of his Black Cats career and Phil Bardsley (ankle) and Wes Brown (knee) are still short of match-fitness.

Martinez revealed before the match against West Ham that places in the Wigan starting XI were up for grabs, and he will have been delighted with the response from some of his fringe players.

Mauro Boselli will certainly be in contention after netting twice in midweek, while the likes of Ryo Miyaichi and Callum McManaman will also be hoping to feature.

Antolin Alcaraz is not quite ready to return in defence following a groin injury, while the game is expected to come too soon for striker Franco Di Santo (calf).

Opta Facts

  • The Black Cats have scored four goals from just six shots on target this season, with striker Steven Fletcher netting all four of his attempts on target.
  • Sunderland are the only team in the top flight without a single headed attempt at goal this season.
  • Wigan have just four points so far, their lowest haul after five matches in any of their eight Premier League seasons, joint-equal with 2010-11.
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