Two relegation strugglers clash in what should be a tight and nervy 90mins of football when Blackburn Rovers host Wigan Athletic from Ewood Park at 5.00am AEST.
If Blackburn Rovers is to survive a further week in the race for survival, a maximum of three points is imperative against Wigan Athletic.
Not only have Blackburn Rovers fallen six points behind the last guaranteed survival position with only two games remaining, but they now must rely on other results to go their way even if they do beat Wigan.
On the other hand Wigan Athletic are on a remarkable run, which unbelievably has seen them beat the likes of Newcastle United, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Rather than needing a win to galvanise their chances of survival, Wigan Athletic can all but secure their safety with a draw against Blackburn considering their superior goal difference to that of Bolton who hold the final relegation place.
A point will move Wigan Athletic to 38 points three clear of Bolton with one game to go.
Here’s hoping this match lives up to that of the reverse fixture at the DW Stadium this season which saw a thrilling match end 3-3 after a Yakubu penalty in the eighth-minute of stoppage time.
Can Blackburn Rovers get the win they desperately need or will Wigan Athletic cement their place in the Premier League next season? Join us from 5.00am AEST for all the drama as the battle for relegation intensifies in the English Premier League.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
FULL TIME BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 After being Premier League champions in 1995, Blackburn Rovers will now face the likes of Cardiff and Barnsley in the championship next season. On this performance alone they deserved to be relegated with minimal chances created and urgency clearly lacking. Wigan started the better team and throughout most of the match looked quite comfortable. They have survived another season in the Premier League which is a great achievement for such a small club populated by Rugby League fans. Thanks for joining us this morning in what has been a significant survival match that has seen Blackburn Rovers relegated from the Premier League.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
BIG CHANTS OF 'WE WANT VENKY'S OUT' BY THE BLACKBURN FAITHFUL WHO OBVIOUSLY BELIEVE THE OWNERS ARE TOO BLAME. SHOULD STEVE KEAN HAD BEEN SACKED EARLIER. BIG REBUILDING STAGE FOR ROVERS NOW.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
FULL TIME BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 BLACKBURN HAVE BEEN RELEGATED FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE
Villa_B
Roar Guru
90' We are only seconds away from full time. Blackburn's stay in the Premier League is over. Blackburn 0 Wigan 1
Villa_B
Roar Guru
90' Their will be 3 minutes of added on time and this cross by Hoilett wont help. It goes straight out for a goalkick. Blackburn 0 Wigan 1
Villa_B
Roar Guru
88' Blackburn now need a miracle if they are to stay in the Premier League. Everybody for Rovers has pushed up but barring a miracle, Blackburn will be relegated. Blackburn 0 Wigan 1
Villa_B
Roar Guru
WIGAN GOAL - Its pretty simple this one. From the corner, the ball is whipped in and ANTONIO ALCARAZ beats his man to head home. Robinson did well to try and keep the ball out but from 3 yards it was unstoppable.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
GOALFLASH BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 (ALCARAZ 87)
Villa_B
Roar Guru
83' Another chance here for Wigan with Shaun Maloney heading over when completely unmarked. His height probably made it hard for him considering how short he is but he still should have done better 3 yards out all alone directly infront. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0
Villa_B
Roar Guru
81' Big Chance here for Wigan with Victor Moses firing straight at Paul Robinson after finding space on the right of the penalty box. Robinson palms the ball back into the bath of Wigan's McCarthy who couldn't connect with the rebound before Moses gets another sniff and he also miskicks. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0
Villa_B
Roar Guru
80' Marcus Olsson tries to plays a one two with Hoilett down Rovers left and following a lucky break, Olsson charges in the box down the left flank. His low cross causes confusion before Al Habsi dives on the ball. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0
Villa_B
Roar Guru
78' Hoilett beats a few players before finding space to let fly from just outside the box. He falls in the process and the shot is weak but Al Habsi for some reason pushes it out for a corner when it was easier to just collect the ball. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0
Villa_B
Roar Guru
76' Blackburn receive a free kick on the halfway line and Rover's keeper Paul Robinson comes out to take it. He hoofs it long in the box but Rovers give away a foul. Time is running out for Blackburn. Will they get that one moment of magic. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0
Villa_B
Roar Guru
70' The rain is starting to tumble down heavily at Ewood Park and Victor Moses has just been booked for simulation in the box. Replays showed their was contact but he was playing for the penalty after producing some beautiful skill to initially beat his man before tumbling under pressure. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0
Villa_B
Roar Guru
69' The corner goes out of play before going in and from the ensuing goalkick the ball eventually finds Modeste who hits a low drive straight at Wigan's Al Habsi. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0
Villa_B
Roar Guru
67' Wigan have a free kick from just outside the box directly in front and it comes following Petrovic's slip in the middle of the park. The free kick hits the wall and it goes out for a corner. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0
Villa_B
Roar Guru
64' Yakubu is nearly through on goal. The ball is hit long from defence and rather than head it clear, the Wigan defenders let it bounce. Alcaraz just does enough to clear but it wasn't great defending. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0
Villa_B
Roar Guru
61' Blackburn are now just 30mins away from relegation. Something surely has to give. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0
Villa_B
Roar Guru
59' Scramble in Wigan's box, with the ball finding Junior Hoilett who falls under pressure. His penalty appeals are waved away and this game has certainly lighted up since half time. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0
Villa_B
Roar Guru
56' Now its Wigan's chance. The ball is whipped in from the left and is headed across goal to Victor Moses who hits it first time over the bar from just 3 yards. Blackburn 0 Wigan 0