Wigan Athletic will attempt to extend their five-game unbeaten run when they travel to Edgeley Park for Saturday's clash with Stockport County.
Meanwhile, the Hatters, who sit in fifth place, will look to make it three games without defeat after taking four points from their last two matches in League One.
Match preview
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After winning promotion last season, Stockport made an impressive start to their first League One campaign since 2009-10, taking maximum points from each of their opening three matches.
However, they soon experienced a drop-off in form as they went on to draw three and lose one of their next four matches.
Fortunately for Stockport, they managed to end their winless run with a 2-0 victory in Tuesday's away clash with Shrewsbury Town.
Ethan Pye and Kyle Wootton grabbed a goal apiece to fire Dave Challinor's side to their second away win of the League One season, leaving them in fifth spot and two points adrift of the top two.
They are now preparing for a home game against Wigan, and having failed to win their last three head-to-head meetings, the hosts are keen to beat the Latics for the first time since September 1993.
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Wigan have bounced back from three defeats in their first four league games to put together a five-game unbeaten run.
The Latics thrashed Bristol Rovers 4-0 before they played out three consecutive goalless draws against Lincoln City, Stevenage and Exeter City.
Shaun Maloney's side continued their run of clean sheets in Tuesday's 3-0 victory against Peterborough United which came courtesy of a Dale Taylor brace and a Callum McManaman effort.
Having conceded just five league goals this season, Wigan currently boast the joint-best defensive record alongside Stevenage, suggesting they will offer stubborn resistance to a Stockport side who have scored in all eight league matches this season.
Incidentally, the Latics recorded a clean sheet in their most recent meeting with Stockport in December 2023 when they ran out 2-0 winners in an EFL Trophy fixture.
Team News
![Dave Challinor manager of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/dave-challinor.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Dave Challinor manager of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]")
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Stockport defender Will Collar will miss a second straight game after picking up a hamstring injury in last Saturday's draw with Barnsley.
Louie Barry was unable to start in midweek due to illness, but the attacker could return to the lineup for the weekend.
Oliver Norwood and Wootton are also pushing for recalls after dropping down to the bench for Tuesday's win over Shrewsbury.
As for Wigan, they are unable to call upon Steven Sessegnon and Tyrese Francois, while Will Aimson is a doubt after picking up a knock in midweek.
If Aimson is unable to feature, Maloney will have to decide whether to start James Carragher or Toby Sibbick alongside Jason Kerr in central defence.
The Wigan boss has indicated that Jensen Weir and Dion Rankine will be available after missing Tuesday's win over Peterborough.
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Addai; Connolly, Horsfall, Pye, Adaramola; Norwood, Bate; Wootton, Fiorini, Barry; Olaofe
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Tickle; Ramsay, Kerr, Carragher, Chambers; Rankine, Weir, Smith, Aasgard, Thomas; Taylor
We say: Stockport County 1-1 Wigan Athletic
Wigan may have gone five games without conceding, but they have won just one of their four away league matches this season, and with that in mind, we think they will have to settle for a point like they did in their last league meeting with Stockport in 2003.
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