Premier League preview: Wigan v West Ham

West Ham United must claim at least a point when they travel to Wigan on Sunday to have any chance of avoiding relegation.

The relegation six-pointer pits the English Premier League’s two bottom sides in a match sure to entertain with both clubs playing for their future, and although a point could mathematically keep them alive, the three points are what is really needed by the Hammers.

West Ham trail Wigan by three points and are four points away from safety, meaning a victory is essential ahead of their final match of the season, at home against Sunderland.

“I think yes, we have a chance to stay up of course, but first we need to win against Wigan. If we get maybe one or two goals (we can do it),” manager Avram Grant said.

“Wigan is the most important game, we need to win. I know they also want to win and they’re playing home. (Staying up) depends on other results, so we need to see if other results are as we want it to be.”

“We have to win against Wigan and I think we can do it.”

West Ham will be desperately hoping captain Scott Parker will return from an Achilles injury while Matthew Upson could also feature at the DW Stadium, but they are likely to be without Mark Noble and Kieron Dyer.

Gary O’Neil and Junior Stanislas are long-term absentees for West Ham while Wigan could be without Mohamed Diame, who is battling a foot injury.

The reverse fixture between these two sides saw West Ham run out 3-1 winners at Upton Park in November, but the Hammers have not won in eight and are going to need to turn things around dramatically, and get a slice of luck, if they are to remain in the Premier League.