West Brom v Wigan – History shows the Latics can't be taken lightly

Top of the table and with a nine-point lead over third-placed Fulham, Slaven Bilic’s side are now 1/25 on with some bookmakers to secure a return to the top flight.

If they do go up, two clashes against the relegation-threatened Latics probably won’t be looked upon as the most memorable games of the season.

But in actual fact, the trip to the DW Stadium back in December has gone on to have a huge impact on the rest of the campaign – with the game also a big indicator as to how the Baggies will line up tomorrow.

That week in December saw Albion put in a sensational display to batter Swansea on the Saturday.

The Wigan clash arrived on the Wednesday, with Bilic’s side back in action the following Saturday at Blues – a game which kicked off early.

With the schedule so heavy, the boss understandably opted to rest key names in Lancashire with Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira left on the bench.

And it backfired significantly.

The Baggies put in their worst performance of the season and only earned a point following a bizarre error from goalkeeper Jamie Jones, who needlessly picked up a backpass.

While the Baggies did beat Blues in their next outing, they then endured a spell where they went seven league games without a win.

And since they have returned to form, Bilic has kept his tinkering – when it comes to team selection – to a minimum.

They have already played six matches this month. And the games against Millwall, Reading and Forest were separated by the same amount of time as the clashes against Swansea, Wigan and Blues.

But there is now a feeling Bilic has decided on his strongest starting XI and he is going to stick to it.

The only unenforced change he has made in Albion’s last five outings has seen Ahmed Hegazi replace Kyle Bartley at the heart of the defence.

That switch was made after the former Leeds defender – who has otherwise had an excellent campaign – made some high-profile errors against Reading and Nottingham Forest.

But otherwise Bilic has built a team that is wonderfully well balanced and is sweeping aside the opponents by playing breathtaking football.

It is fair to say the tweak to include Hegazi has also been the right call, with the Egyptian hugely impressive against Preston North End on Tuesday. And the 29-year-old will again be crucial tomorrow with Wigan’s style of playing having become more direct in recent weeks.

Paul Cook’s side are now tending to hit targetman Kieffer Moore early and play from there. But if Hegazi wins that aerial battle and Jake Livermore continues to sweep up the second balls, Albion should dominate once more.

In their last three outings, the Baggies restricted Forest and Bristol City to just one shot on target.

North End didn’t have a single attempt that troubled Sam Johnstone.

The match in December proves, though, Wigan cannot be taken lightly. And that is something Bilic will have stressed to his players ahead of the game.