The Latics haven’t won in the league since Boxing Day and have only picked up four points in the seven games since that victory over Wolves. They came close to victory against West Brom in midweek after goals from Charles N’Zogbia and Ben Watson but they were denied three points by a Marc-Antoine Fortune effort 11 minutes from time.
Rovers haven’t won away from home during January, and they will be hoping February brings them some more luck. They will also be hoping to reduce the number of goals they concede away from Ewood Park, having let in a less than impressive eight in their last three fixtures on the road.
Rovers Have Edge Over Local Rivals
The two clubs, who are 25 miles apart, have met 15 times in their history, with Rovers dominating those matches, winning 11 of them while Wigan have only been successful in two. The last two meetings have both been at Ewood Park and Blackburn won them both 2-1.
The league meetings between the sides have only taken place in the Premier League and Rovers have won the majority of the games, claiming 23 points from a possible 33 over the last six seasons.
At the DW Stadium, formerly the JJB Stadium, both teams have recorded two victories and one game has ended in a draw but games have been laden with goals. They have shared 19 in the five games at Wigan, an average of 3.8 per game.
Despite their dominance over Wigan, Blackburn haven’t beaten them on their own turf since 2007, and with their current away form they will be hoping they see a turnaround in their fortunes and see them do the double over Wigan for the first time since the 2006-07 season.
Mixed Emotions For Wigan Chairman Whelan
Games between Wigan and Blackburn are always sentimental affairs for Latics chairman Dave Whelan, as he has such affection for both clubs.
As a player Whelan made 78 appearances for Blackburn in four years, he appeared for the club in the 1960 FA Cup final but the day was one to forget for the Wigan chief. Rovers lost the game 3-0 to Wolves at Wembley and Whelan also broke his leg in the match.
After retiring in 1966, Whelan went into retail, setting up JJB Sports and then DW Sports. And in 1995 he bought his beloved Wigan Athletic when the club were in Division Three and set about lifting them up the divisions.
He has masterminded the club’s meteoric rise to the Premier League since taking over, and has continued to fund the purchase of players that has enabled them to survive in the division for five seasons.
TEAM NEWS
Wigan
Charles N’Zogbia, who was the subject of two bids from Newcastle on deadline day, netted against West Brom in midweek and will be hoping to continue his goal-scoring run.
On-loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley is back in contention following his hamstring injury after returning to training this week, but Roberto Martinez may not want to rush him back and risk a relapse.
Striker Conor Sammon joined Wigan on deadline day from Kilmarnock and should be in the squad for this game after watching the 2-2 draw against West Brom from the stands.
Paraguayan defender Antolin Alcaraz is the only absentee for Wigan, having been out of action recently with a foot injury.
Possible starting XI: Al Habsi; Boyce, G Caldwell, Gohouri, Figueroa; Thomas, Watson; N’Zogbia, McCarthy, Moses; Rodallega.
Blackburn
Spanish midfielder Ruben Rochina and Argentine striker Mauro Formica joined Rovers on deadline day but were not included against Spurs, and they are unlikely to start this match as Steve Kean lets them settle into life in England.
Vince Grella and Keith Andrews both returned to the squad against Villa and also against Tottenham so are likely to be involved. Ryan Nelsen played against Spurs and is expected to continue at centre-back alongside Christopher Samba.
Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz was withdrawn early in the FA Cup game against Aston Villa last weekend with a groin strain, the injury kept him out of the midweek defeat to Spurs and will keep him sidelined for this match.
The only other absentee is Phil Jones who was ruled out for the season when he picked up a knee injury against West Ham in December.
Possible starting XI: Robinson; Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson; Hoilett, J Jones, Dunn, Pedersen; Kalinic, Roberts.
Prediction
Wigan will be keen to lift themselves out of the bottom three again and aim to get back to winning ways in this Lancashire derby, but Blackburn have seen a revival under Steve Kean and should be strong enough to get an away victory.
Wigan Athletic 1-2 Blackburn 
