In a clash that could affect the race for the League One title, Huddersfield Town are set to travel to the Brick Community Stadium where they will face Wigan Athletic on Wednesday in their 23rd league fixture of 2024-25.
The hosts have just 27 points and are in 16th place following their 2-1 defeat against Wrexham on Sunday, while Huddersfield are six points from first-placed Birmingham City in fourth with 43 points but were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Burton Albion on December 29.
Match preview
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Wigan will feel that they should have at least taken a point against Wrexham considering they prevented them from creating any big chances and their xG figure of 1.32 was nearly four times more than Wrexham's tally.
Manager Shaun Maloney chose to focus solely on the positives of the match, telling reporters: "I'm normally pretty honest when I do these interviews, and I can't say anything negative about the team after that. There'll be moments in both boxes you could probably pick out for improvement, but I thought we were brilliant."
The Latics have scored 21 goals and conceded 20 times in 22 League One fixtures, and these returns are the third tier's joint fifth-worst offensive and joint fourth-best defensive records.
While Maloney's side have won two, drawn one and only lost one of their four most recent games, they did lose their prior three outings, including a 1-0 defeat against Huddersfield on December 3.
Wigan's home form is mixed, with the team having drawn one, lost three and won two of their last six matches at the Brick Community Stadium.
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Meanwhile, Huddersfield produced a staggering 30 shots against last-placed Burton Albion, 20 of which were inside the penalty area, but they still needed an equaliser in the 88th minute to avoid defeat after conceding in the 13th minute.
Manager Michael Duff was sent off on Sunday, and assistant boss Martin Paterson criticised his players for their slow start when speaking to media reporters, saying: "There is a positive inside [the match], but also having an honesty to not shy away from the first half being below par.
"I think that's where the players need to recognise that they need to start better, they need to put their foot on the gas quicker, because when we get them in and we tweak things around, they're always good in the second half it seems."
Duff's side have found the back of the net 36 times in League One and have only conceded on 19 occasions, and these are the division's joint fourth-best offensive and third-best defensive records.
The Terriers' form of late has been strong considering they have triumphed in seven, drawn two and been defeated in just one of their last 10 games.
Huddersfield's recent showings on the road have been positive, with the team winning three of their past four away from home, but it should be noted that they failed to win any of the previous five away outings.
Team News
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Wigan have somewhat of an injury crisis in midfield given Baba Adeeko and Matt Smith could be out for lengthy periods due to hamstring issues, while Tyrese Francois has been ruled out for most of the season.
Jensen Weir could be joined in a midfield three on Wednesday by Scott Smith and Thelo Aasgaard in front of centre-backs Jason Kerr and Will Aimson.
In attack, wingers Jonny Smith and Michael Olakigbe are probable candidates to flank striker Dale Taylor.
Huddersfield striker Daniel Ward was forced off with an injury against Burton Albion, so expect to see Freddie Ladapo partner Callum Marshall up front.
In the middle of the pitch, fans will likely see Ben Wiles and Herbie Kane play either side of defensive midfielder David Kasumu.
Goalkeeper Jacob Chapman will almost certainly be protected by centre-backs Tom Lees, Michal Helik and Nigel Cello Lonwijk.
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Tickle; Sibbick, Kerr, Aimson, Sessegnon; Weir, S Smith, Aasgaard; J Smith, Taylor, Olakigbe
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Chapman; Lees, Helik, Lonwijk; Spencer, Wiles, Kasumu, Kane, Koroma; Ladapo, Marshall
We say: Wigan Athletic 0-1 Huddersfield Town
Considering Wigan's strong defensive record this season, it is plausible that they could limit the number of opportunities Huddersfield create.
Huddersfield will have to hope they are more clinical than they were last time out, but their strong form in recent weeks should make them favourites on Wednesday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
