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League Positions

Pos.	13/8/02	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
3	Wigan	2	2	0	0	5	2	6
10	Bristol City	2	1	0	1	2	1	3

Team News Wigan - Summer signing Ian Breckin is available for selection after serving a two match ban, but may have to settle for a place on the bench due to the form of the Latics' defense this season. Keeper Stewart Kerr is a long-term casualty whilst left-back Steve McMillan is also ruled out through injury. Peter Kennedy continues to deputize. Bristol City - City's only potential injury worry is central defender Keith Millen. The 35-year-old played his first competitive game in over a year last Saturday, and concerns over his match fitness levels persist. Brian Tinnion, Mike Stowell, Kevin Amankwaah, Louis Carey and Billy Mercer are all on the long term injury list. Boss Danny Wilson is likely to field the same 11 who played so well at Brentford on Tuesday, but came away with nothing.

Players To Watch Nathan Ellington (Wigan) - The Latics' most expensive signing has made an immediate impact with 2 goals in two games this season. 'The Duke' signed for Bristol Rovers from non-league Walton in February 1999, where in just over 3 years at the club, he netted an impressive 44 times. With Rovers struggling at the foot of Division Three, Ellington scored a hat trick at Pride Park to down (then) Premiership Derby County in the FA Cup. This intensified speculation over a big money move, with Millwall said to be keeping a close eye on the situation. Then on transfer deadline day, Wigan had a £1.2 million bid accepted by the Pirates and the powerful striker became a Latic that day. Scott Murray (Bristol City) - The pacy right-winger joined City in 1997 from Aston Villa and has slowly but surely become the club's most important player. The Robins fall from grace last season coincided with an injury lay-off for the Scotsman. After spending all but a few weeks in the top 6, the club missed out on the play-offs, yet Murray's performances throughout the season led to a place in the Division 2 Team of the Season. It was a second successive selection for Murray, and Berti Vogts took note by calling him up to the Scotland 'B' squad. The popular Murray has been terrorising Second Division defences for the past 3 seasons with his trickery and - at 29 - is entering the prime of his career. He'll be doing his utmost to help City to promotion as soon as possible.

Wise Words "I have a score to settle with them." - Former Bristol Rovers striker Ellington never scored against local rivals City in 3 years at the Memorial Stadium. "I've played against Nathan (Ellington) a couple of times before - when he was at Bristol Rovers - and I think I did well against him." - City defender Keith Millen reiterates Ellington's poor goalscoring form against the Robins.

Info.	Wigan	Bristol City
Manager	Paul Jewell	Danny Wilson
Nickname	The Latics	The Robins
Record Signing	Nathan Ellington - £1.2 million (2002)	Ade Akinbiyi - £1.2 million (1998)
Top Scorer 2002/03	Nathan Ellington - 2	Lee Peacock, Scott Murray - 1
Recent Form	WW	WL
Biggest Win 2002/03	2-0	2-0
Heaviest Defeat 2002/03	N/A	0-1
Last Meeting: 05/1/02	2	2

Prediction In Nathan Ellington and Andy Liddell, Wigan certainly have the fire-power to worry any Second Division defence. But in young Matt Hill, City have one of the most promising defenders in the lower leagues. A potential dual between 'The Duke' and Hill is exciting and could be the deciding factor between two teams who will be closely matched. The Robins looked dangerous on Tuesday night, but a mixture of bad luck and poor finishing saw them leave Griffin Park with nothing. Strikers Lee Peacock and Christian Roberts are certainly very talented, but after Tony Thorpe's departure during the summer, there are fears that City will lack the raw firepower to seriously threaten top-spot this year. And if the Ashton Gate club are to leave the JJB with anything this Saturday, they will have to hit the net. 1-1