Roberto Martinez and Wigan are set to play their most important match of the season so far when they meet Liverpool at the DW Stadium in the Premier League on Monday night. Wigan have been struggling most of the season and lie just above the relegation zone under Roberto Martinez, a win against Liverpool who are chasing Champions League football will see them go clear of the bottom three allowing their fans to breathe a sigh of relief.  They will not face an easy task though against an in form Liverpool team with a fit and firing Fernando Torres set to lead the line for for Rafa Benitez and Liverpool.

There was speculation earlier in the season linking Martinez to a return to Spain and Espanyol and a defeat here could well weaken his position at Wigan, those reports were played down by the Spaniard but he knows he must keep Athletic in the top flight this season. He is a bright young Manager and Dave Whelan is known to stick by his Managers which is a good sign for Martinez but he will be looking over his shoulder somewhat with all the teams down there scrapping for their lives. The bookmakers have been watching the events at the DW Stadium very closely all season and the Next Premier League Manager To Be Sacked Odds are telling punters that Roberto Martinez is in trouble, he maybe very good value in this market with the relegation battle hotting up but a win against Liverpool could change all of that.

The match against Liverpool will be the first at the Stadium with a new pitch relaid over the last week, ironically though this could have an adverse affect against a good footballing side like Liverpool. The DW stadium turf has turned into a mud bath in recent weeks which may have helped Wigan against the top sides but that will no longer be the case, a new carpet has been laid which will be easier to play a good style of passing football on. Liverpool themselves are desperate for the three points on offer as they bid to resurrect their season by claiming that 4th spot on offer, they are in a four-way battle with Spurs, Man City and Aston Villa for that crucial money spinning league position.

This match could have a big affect on both ends of the table with the two Managers in for a squeaky bum night at the DW Stadium, Roberto Martinez in particular knows that defeat here will see Wigan slip further towards the trap door and a relgation dog fight.

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