MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 06:40:50| >> :600:206716:206716:
[monks data]
Blackpool
Championship | Gameweek 42
Apr 15, 2023 at 3pm UK
Bloomfield Road
Wigan logo

Blackpool
1 - 0
Wigan

Yates (2')
Anderson (90+7')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Lang (66'), Pearce (90+7')

Preview: Blackpool vs. Wigan Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Blackpool and Wigan Athletic, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Blackpool and Wigan Athletic square off at Bloomfield Road on Saturday afternoon aware that the loser will find themselves on the brink of relegation from the Championship.

With five matches remaining, the two clubs currently sit seven and eight points respectively adrift of safety, with 21st-placed Cardiff City also possessing a game in hand.


Match preview

Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney before the match on March 11, 2023© Reuters

Shaun Maloney initially instigated an upturn in results for Wigan, giving the Latics hopes of survival, and a recent five-point haul from three games generated some much-needed momentum.

However, defeats to Sheffield United and Swansea City have left Wigan potentially needing to win at least four of their five remaining matches to stay in the second tier.

Goals continue to be an issue for this team, not netting from open play for nearly seven halves of football, and even an improved defensive effort will not save them unless they start getting on the scoresheet with more regularity.

While Wigan end the campaign with matches versus direct rivals Reading and Rotherham United, they must first post a substantial return against the Seasiders, Stoke City and Millwall.

That said, Wigan have a marginally better away record than they do at the DW Stadium, even if they have not prevailed on their travels since the start of October.

Blackpool interim manager Stephen Dobbie on April 10, 2023© Reuters

On the back of three defeats in a row, Blackpool made the decision to part ways with Mick McCarthy in a desperate attempt to salvage their season.

Stephen Dobbie has since been promoted to interim head coach, starting his temporary reign with a 3-1 defeat at third-placed Luton Town after taking an early lead at Kenilworth Road.

Nevertheless, Blackpool still managed to concede at least three goals in a match for the fourth game running, the Tangerines now having the worst defensive record in the division by three goals.

Despite their two recent defeats at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool fared well during home fixtures before McCarthy's exit, going seven matches unbeaten in all competitions before succumbing to Coventry City on March 18.

Blackpool Championship form:

Wigan Athletic Championship form:


Team News

Jerry Yates celebrates scoring for Blackpool on August 20, 2022© Reuters

Dobbie could select the same Blackpool XI which started the fixture at Luton having revealed that the squad will largely stay the same.

While Jerry Yates may return to the group after a hamstring injury, he is unlikely to be considered for a role in the team.

This match will also come too soon for Shayne Lavery, who alongside Yates is the closest to returning to contention from a lengthy injury list.

Despite the defeat to Swansea, Maloney was pleased with large aspects of Wigan's performances, something which will likely lead to minimal changes.

Needing all three points, Thelo Aasgaard may be drafted into the midfield as a creative option, while Josh Magennis could replace Ashley Fletcher down the centre of the attack.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Maxwell; Lyons, Nelson, Thorniley, Husband; Carey, Fiorini, Anderson; Bowler, Rogers, Hamilton

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Amos; Hughes, Whatmough, Nyambe; Darikwa, Power, Tiehi, McClean; Aasgaard, Lang; Magennis


SM words green background

We say: Blackpool 1-1 Wigan Athletic

While both clubs desperately require three points, that is not to say that either side will go gung-ho for victory. Instead, we may get a nervy match between two sides lacking confidence, one which may lead to an unwanted share of the spoils.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:511260:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9771:
Written by
Darren Plant

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Blackpool vs Wigan

Blackpool
63.0%
Draw
25.9%
Wigan Athletic
11.1%
27
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Burnley's Nathan Tella celebrates scoring their first goal with Ashley Barnes on March 11, 2023
Read Next:
Friday's Championship predictions including Middlesbrough vs. Burnley
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham23165241172453
2Wycombe WanderersWycombe25156450272351
3Wrexham25156437181951
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield24145537191847
5Barnsley2512673933642
6Reading2412573933641
7Stockport CountyStockport25108737271038
8Leyton Orient24114932221037
9Mansfield TownMansfield2311483126537
10Bolton WanderersBolton2411493637-137
11Charlton AthleticCharlton239772721634
12Lincoln CityLincoln258892830-232
13Rotherham UnitedRotherham248792424031
14Stevenage238781820-231
15Exeter CityExeter2494112831-331
16Blackpool247983235-330
17Wigan AthleticWigan2376102123-227
18Northampton TownNorthampton2568112439-1526
19Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2474134146-525
20Bristol Rovers2474132238-1625
21Crawley TownCrawley2355132443-1920
22Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury2445152444-2017
23Cambridge UnitedCambridge2445152243-2117
24Burton Albion2428142038-1814


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!