In the aftermath of a 3-1 defeat in the North West derby at Blackburn, Wigan boss Steve Bruce acknowledged that points accrued rather than home form may be the difference in the Latics avoiding the drop to the Championship.

Asked if home form will be important in Wigan's battle against the drop, he said: "I think it is the accumulation of points like I've always said and over the last five years I think 35 points have been enough.

"I have always set a target of 38 so we've got seven games to go to get seven points if we possibly can.

"If we can do that, that's usually enough."