Wigan v West Ham, Saturday, February 2, 3pm. (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Wigan v West Ham, Saturday, February 2, 3pm.

3:18pm Friday 1st February 2008 in West Ham By Guardian-series

MATCH PREVIEW

LAST MEETING: West Ham 1 Wigan 1 (Barclays Premiership, 25-08-07) LAST TIME AT THE JJB STADIUM: Wigan 0 West Ham 3 (Barclays Premiership, 28-04-07) HEAD-TO-HEAD: Wigan 3 wins, West Ham 6 wins, 2 draws FORM: Relegation favourites Wigan have been a somewhat rejuvinated force under new boss Steve Bruce, picking up four wins and three draws in the 11 games since he joined the club after leaving his role at Birmingham.

With games against Sunderland and Derby to follow, Wigan will be desparate to pick up something against the Hammers to go into the crunch relegation battles with confidence.

DANGER MAN: Marlon King will be desperate to make an impression on his home debut, the striker having signed from Championship Watford last week.

The 27-year-old (pictured) has been brought in to provide the goals to fire Wigan to safety and, alongside powerful England forward Emile Heskey, will be a threat to any Premiership defence.

FUN FACT: Fans' football chants against opposing players and supporters are an essential part of the game's fabric, at any level.

But Wigan supporters appear to prefer teasing the fans of the town's rugby league club, Wigan Warriors.

Warriors - who play in red - have long been the most supported club in the town, but the metoric rise in the past decade of blue-kitted Athletic has arguably led to a change in perceptions - and, inevitably, chants of "Wigan's turning blue".

PREDICTION: Wigan 1 West Ham 2