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WIGAN v MIDDLESBROUGH BIG MATCH FACTS
Both these clubs lost their opening fixtures on Saturday with Wigan looking for their first home Premier League victory over Middlesbrough at the third time of asking.
WIGAN ATHLETIC
Last season picked up only one win from their first seven league games.
Were in danger of the drop and ending the campaign on a nine-match winless sequence in May, but a nail-biting victory over Sheffield United saved their status.
Looking for a first home league win in six.
Drawn two and lost three Premier League matches at home in a record dating back to late February.
Chris Hutchings has succeeded Paul Jewell as manager of Wigan . This is not the first time he has done this as he also succeeded him at Bradford City in June 2000. He was sacked after 137 days after picking up only one win in 12 Premier League games.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Best ever finish in the Football League was third in 1913-14.
Looking for their 50th away Premier League win.
Have lost their opening away Premier League fixture in the last four seasons.
Their average Premier League finish is 12th. Their best seventh (2004-05).
Won only one of their first seven league fixtures under new manager Gareth Southgate last season.
Not claimed a point from their first away match of the season since drawing 0-0 at Southampton on 17 August 2002.
Not won their first away match of a campaign since beating Coventry 1-3 on 19 August 2000.
Only lost the first two matches in a Premier League season once in five years - defeated by Fulham (a) and Arsenal (h) on 16 and 24 August 2003 respectively.
Chris Riggott could make his 200th club career start.
George Boateng could make his 150th league start in a Middlesbrough shirt. He was one of three players to be sent off twice in last season's Premier League.
COMMON LINKS
Carlo Nash could face his former club, having made five appearances for Middlesbrough between August 2003 and March 2005.
STATISTICS
Middlesbrough are defending an unbeaten record in all competitions at Wigan , winning three and drawing one of the four games played since 1986.
Total
League: Wigan 1, Middlesbrough 2, Draws 3
Prem: Wigan 1, Middlesbrough 1, Draws 2
At Wigan
League: Wigan 0 wins, Middlesbrough 2, Draws 1
Prem: Wigan 0, Middlesbrough 1, Draws 1
LAST SEASON
Wigan Athletic 0-1 Middlesbrough
5 May 2007
Middlesbrough scorer: Viduka 29
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