Despite Everton's impressive away record at Wigan, David Moyes is urging his team to be wary of the threat posed by Steve Bruce's side ahead of Monday night's Barclays Premier League clash.
The Merseysiders have picked up seven points from their last three matches at the JJB Stadium and although Wigan are currently experiencing a dip in home form having neither won nor scored in their last three games, Moyes believes they cannot be underestimated.
He said: "You can't take anything for granted in this league and we will have to play well if we are going to come away with the points.
"I think Wigan are a good side, I think they are strong and they work very hard.
"I think Steve Bruce has got himself a good group of players and the game will be hard, it always is against Wigan and against Steve's teams.
"They are a good footballing side, they have good players in the team and they also a strong side.
"They have been a little bit unlucky so far this season, one or two things have gone against them and I see them as a side that will certainly be a Premier League team next season."
Wigan manager Bruce has forged a reputation for unearthing talent from all corners of the globe.
The most high-profile this season has been Amr Zaki, the 25-year-old Egyptian who is joint second top scorer in the Premier League in his debut season in England, and Moyes was glowing in his praise for Bruce's acquisitions.
He added: "They have some really exciting players in the team and it is a hard game with the squad of players they now have.
"Antonio Valencia is a very good player as is [Wilson] Palacios and Zaki has also done very, very well.
"They also have Emile Heskey so you have to say they have three or four really good exciting players."
If Everton do manage to defeat Wigan, it will be the first time in over four years that they won three consecutive away matches having also recently defeated Bolton and West Ham on the road.
Moyes insists that statistic is not a major motivation for his side but admitted it would be a huge help to Everton's ambitions to again finish in the top five.
Moyes said: "How many clubs have won three away from home?
"We had a decent away record last year and we have started well this year. It would be great if we do win because I don't think too many teams do that, possibly the big teams but after that it is a very hard thing to do.
"Our away form has been good and we will need to keep working hard at it to keep that going."
