Preview: Wigan v Rubin – Latics face tough test against Group D leaders

Wigan – Rubin

Date: 24/10/2013

KO: 20.05

Venue: DW Stadium

Wigan Athletic will look to continue their unbeaten run in Europe as they welcome Russian outfit Rubin Kazan to the DW Stadium. It’s fair to say, this fixture is going to prove a huge challenge for the Latics.

Team News:

Wigan

Wigan will be without midfielder Shaun Maloney for this Europa League Group D match-up. The Scotland international will be out for a further three months after being told he needs hip surgery.

Defender Stephen Crainey could return after four games out with a neck injury, while striker Grant Holt is in line to make his European debut after a recovering from a knee injury.

Rubin

Rubin Kazan are missing striker Salomon Rondon who is suffering from a fractured metatarsal, but otherwise they are in good shape.

Rondon has scored one goal, in as many fixtures, in this season’s competition. The influential striker will be dearly missed against Wigan.

Recent Form

Rubin are top of the group with six points, with Wigan second. The Latics, on four points, are three clear of third-placed Zulte Waregem.

Europa League football has proved a welcome relief for Owen Coyle’s side, as their domestic form has been less than consistent.

The Lactics have made a solid start to their continental campaign, with a 0-0 draw away to Zulte Waregem followed up by a convincing 3-1 triumph at home to Maribor.

Rubin have won both of their Group D fixtures so far, scoring nine goals in the process. A 5-2 rout in their opener away at Maribor was followed by a 4-0 home-demolition of Zulte Waregem.

But they too have had a discouraging start to their domestic campaign, taking just 16 points from 13 matches in the Russian Premier League.

Players to Watch:

Wigan – Nick Powell

The Manchester United-loanee has been key for Wigan so far this campaign, scoring twice against NK Maribor to secure a famous, first ever, European win.

The 19-year-old has proved to be the club’s biggest hope of scoring in their opening Europa League games. In his first two appearances he has taken six shots in total, with four of which finding the target.

Rubin – Roman Eremenko

Roman Eremenko is widely recognised as the team’s most creative and most impressive player. The midfielder has already earned 55 caps for Finland, despite being only 26.

In this season’s competition he has already scored twice for Rubin as he has earned himself a Squawka Performance Score of 85 points.

What’s more, his playmaking abilities are easily noticed. In two matches Eremenko has registered a pass accuracy of 85% and he has created 5 chances for the Russian side.

Prediction

This will prove an extremely tough fixture for Wigan as they look to continue their positive start in Europe. Owen Coyle’s men will have their backs against the wall, as the face a well-recognized force in the form of Rubin.

Considering their current domestic form it’s fair to say the Latics lack any form of momentum. This will only make this evening’s fixture an even greater challenge.

Wigan 0 – 2 Rubin