Wigan welcomes Leeds to DW Stadium for a huge clash which could have ratifications for both teams.
A win for Wigan could move them closer towards the play-off spots, whilst Leeds could go top depending on Saturday’s results.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesWigan will hand Nick Powell and Gary Roberts late fitness tests ahead of their clash with Leeds.
Powell picked up a knock during the Latics’ 4-2 loss at Sheffield United whilst Roberts limped off with a hamstring injury in that game.
Leeds are without Luke Ayling after the defender suffered damage to his knee during the match against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Fullback, Barry Douglas could return after coming through a reserves match unscathed.
Gaetano Berardi (muscle), Patrick Bamford (posterior cruciate ligament) and Izzy Brown (anterior cruciate ligament) are all ruled out for foreseeable future.
Form
Wigan enter this match off the back of four points out of a possible 15 from last five matches.
Those four points all came at home because three of those five games were away, including their last two which they lost.
Wigan in-fact are still unbeaten at home this season with five wins and two draws, with clean sheets in each of their last three home games.
Leeds meanwhile are unbeaten in four of last five but lost their last away outing at Blackburn Rovers. They however have kept just two clean sheets in that time, coming against current relegation placed sides, Hull and Ipswich.
Stat Attack
- Both meetings between these teams in 2016-17 season finished 1-1, with the home side having taken the lead on both occasions.
- In their first four meetings since Wigan were relegated from Premier League in 2013, both teams won and lost by 2-0 and 1-0 scorelines with the former result coming twice at Elland Road whilst 1-0 was the scoreline at DW Stadium across 2013-15 seasons.
- Wigan manager, Paul Cook has met Leeds only once before when he was in charge of Chesterfield and lost a League Cup tie 2-1 at Elland Road.
Prediction
You have to fancy Wigan to try and cause an upset here given their home form but this is a strong Leeds side they are facing.
Although both teams should score, I can see Leeds winning this.
Prediction: Wigan 1-2 Leeds United