Wigan manager Steve Bruce believes his side's home form could prove the key to securing Premier League survival this season.The Latics host relegation rivals Birmingham on Saturday and return to the JJB Stadium aiming to bounce back to winning ways after losing at Blackburn and Portsmouth.

Wigan have been in fine form at home and four of their last six games are on their own turf, with Tottenham, Reading and Manchester United also due to visit.

Bruce's men boosted their survival hopes by going unbeaten in their last four home games, winning three and holding title-chasers Arsenal to a goalless draw, and the manager is confident that Wigan will be safe if they can continue that run.

"The great thing for us is that our home form since the turn of the year has been excellent and we needed that," he said. "We've won five out of the last eight league games that we've played here, so it's vitally important that we've got four left at home, starting with Birmingham.

"If we can get a result, with five games then left to go, it pushes us closer (to survival)."

With each of the clubs battling against relegation having struggled on the road, Bruce accepts it places greater emphasis on doing well at home.

Birmingham, Fulham and Sunderland have three home games left each, while Bolton have just two, so Bruce believes that gives his side the advantage heading into the relegation run-in.

"You notice that at the bottom, the reason why you're there is usually your away form," he said. "It's very difficult for the teams at the bottom to get a result away from home and that goes for every team down there.

"Sunderland won their first away game only a couple of weeks ago, we've won one, Bolton have won one, and Birmingham have won a couple.

"So it's that home form which is vital, and we've got four of them left at home, so let's hope we can do it."

Bruce will face his former club for the first time since leaving St Andrews for Wigan last November.

Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios will also face his former club as he returns from a one-match ban, although Michael Brown and Jason Koumas are still suspended.

"When you spend six years with a club there's more to it," said Bruce.

"The vast majority of those years I believe we did okay, there were a couple of promotions in there, and you see 95% of the team is still playing there.

"It's always special to play against your old club and for me on Saturday it will be no different."

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