Wigan sit two places and four points above the Premiership relegation zone and considering they have only won three Premiership games since the turn of the year, it’s not difficult to see why.

The Latics started the year by beating Hull 4-1 at the D W Stadium in the FA Cup third round and followed that up with a 2-0 away win at Wolves. But they had to come from two goals down to earn at draw at Notts County in the FA Cup before losing at home 2-0 to the League Two side.

That defeat followed two losses against Blackburn and Everton and drew the next three and lost two as their league position fell. A 1-0 home win against Liverpool was followed by a 4-0 hammering at Bolton and a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa. Last time out they needed three minutes of injury time before scoring the only goal of the game at home to Burnley.

Wigan have been the scourge of City ever since they were promoted in 2005. They did the double over City in their first two seasons and are yet to be defeated at the D W Stadium by the blues. Last season, City scored their first Premier League win over Wigan, Pablo Zabaleta winning the game with a stunning strike.

Manager – Roberto Martinez

 Former Swansea boss Martinez took over the reigns at Wigan after Steve Bruce left to join Sunderland. Martinez was part of the ‘three amigos’ that played for Wigan between 1995 and 2001. After playing for Motherwell, Walsall, Swansea and Chester City, Martinez became manager of Swansea in February 2007. During his time at Swansea, Martinez oversaw 125 games, winning 63 and losing just 25. From 25 games at Wigan, he has won just nine and lost 18.

 Ground – D W Stadium

Wigan share the D W Stadium with Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club and have resided their since 1999. The current capacity is 25,138. Their previous ground was Springfield Park, which was Wigan’s home for 67 years.

Wigan Facts

Wigan are the youngest club in the Premier League, having only been formed in 1932.

Martinez was one of the ‘three amigos,’ the others being Jesus Seba and Isidro Diaz.

Liverpool ‘Supersub’ David Fairclough finished his league career at Wigan but continued with non-league Knowsley.

Former City midfielder Antoine Sibierski spent two years at Wigan, making 33 appearance and scoring 4 goals.

Everton arrive at Eastlands with two ambitions: To derail City’s bid for fourth and become the first team to win at Eastlands this season.

The Toffee’s inflicted Roberto Mancini’s first defeat as City manager in January and have steadily moved up the table since that win. Since beating City, Everton have won six of their nine games played and lost two. Amongst the wins were a 3-1 victory over and a 2-1 win over Chelsea.

But they suffered defeat at the hands of Liverpool and Spurs (both away) while also being knocked out of the Europa League by Sporting and have an outside chance of qualifying for the competition again.

The Toffees lie in eighth place with 45 points, three places and eight points behind the blues and have only won three times on their travels this season while losing seven.

Manager – David Moyes

David Moyes is now in his eighth full season at Goodison after moving to Merseyside form Preston and remains the only manager of a non-top four side to break into the top four.

Former City and Everton Players You Might Know

Joelon Lescott and Jo (obviously), Richard Dunne, Joe Royle, Peter Beardsley, Peter Beagrie, Andrei Kanchelskis, Andy Hinchcliffe, Sylvain Distin

And Some You Wanted To Forget About

Wayne Clarke, Alan Harper, Adrian Heath, Bobby Mimms, Mike Stowell

Fulham currently lie tenth in the Premier League and over the last couple of years have become a strong Premiership outfit.

Like City last season, Fulham kicked off their campaign in a Europa League qualifying round in July and have subsequently advanced to the quarter finals of the competition, thanks to a stunning 4-1 second leg victory over Juventus after trailing 3-1 from the first leg.

Their home form at home is one of the best from the mid table teams, having won nine and lost three, but it is their defensive record that is impressive. From their 14 games at Craven Cottage, Fulham have conceded just nine goals, bettered only by Manchester United with eight.

Fulham are a team always capable of springing a surprise result against the top sides. This season, they recorded a stunning 3-0 win over United but Thursday’s result over Juventus might just eclipse it.

Manager – Roy Hodgson

Former Blackburn boss Hodgson has rejuvenated Fulham and has turned the club from relegation candidates to European contenders in under two years.

Taking over the reigns in December 2007, Hodgson guided the club away from the relegation zone. It wasn’t the easiest of tasks and in April 2008, Fulham were 2-0 down at City and virtually relegated. However, three second half goals turned the game around and Fulham went on to secure their Premier League status on the last day of the season.

The following season, Hodgson secured European football at Craven Cottage, guiding them to seventh in the Premier League.

Star Players

Former Brighton and West Ham striker Bobby Zamora is a constant threat in front of goal and Zolton Gera showed City in the League Cup exactly what he is capable of.

Ground – Craven Cottage

Fulham have occupied Craven Cottage since it was opened in 1896 and is located right on the bank of the River Thames. Its current capacity is 25,700

Meaningless Facts

This isn’t the first meeting of the two managers. They met in Serie A when Mancini managed Fiorentina and Hodgson was boss of Udinese in 2001.

Fulham are the oldest professional football team in London, having being founded in 1879.

Fulham are generally known as The Cottagers, but other nicknames include The Whites and The Lillywhites.

The club have reached the FA Cup final on just one occasion, losing 2-0 to West Ham in 1975.

Fulham’s club mascot, Billy the Badger, is a bit of a rebel. In February 2008, referee Chris Foy sent him off for breakdancing in the corner of the pitch after the game had started. He later blamed his ‘poor badger hearing’ for the offence and in March 2009, he risked the wrath of the referee after walking across the goal during a game.