Stevenage play host to Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon needing all three points to kick-start a potential push for the League One playoffs.
At a time when the home side sit in 14th place in the table, Wigan are down in 17th spot and at risk of being pulled into a relegation scrap.
Match preview
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Although Stevenage are currently not matching their ninth-placed finish from 2023-24, there are plenty of positives to take from Stevenage's recent results.
Just one defeat has been posted in nine games, while four clean sheets have been kept in their last five outings in the third tier.
Nevertheless, back-to-back goalless draws versus Northampton Town and Lincoln City have left the club down in 14th, 10 points adrift of the playoffs.
Goals remain the issue for Alex Revell's side with just 18 being scored in their 23 fixtures, the worst return in the entire division.
That said, Revell will expect another win to be posted at the Lamex Stadium on Saturday, with seven having been recorded in 13 such outings during 2024-25.
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Meanwhile, Wigan remain somewhat of a mixed bag under Shaun Maloney with the Latics having reached the fourth round of the FA Cup with victory at Mansfield Town.
A home tie with Premier League outfit Fulham now awaits the North-West outfit, yet they remain on the cusp of needing to fight for survival in League One.
Consecutive defeats, albeit to Wrexham and Birmingham City, have left Maloney's side seven points clear of the bottom four with the third-worst attacking record in the division.
With a playoff push now realistically out of the question, Wigan need another three points on the board to ease the pressure heading into games against teams that sit below them in the standings.
Team News
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Elliott List, Dan Kemp and Jamie Reid are all options to come into the final third for Stevenage after they drew a blank last time out.
With the defence currently performing to a high level, Revell may be against making any further alterations.
Unless he deems that fresh legs are required, expect Maloney to select the same Wigan XI from the win at Mansfield.
Jonny Smith's assist for one of the goals should be enough to keep him in the team ahead of Silko Thomas.
Josh Robinson, a recent arrival from Arsenal, is still awaiting his debut and will likely remain on the substitutes' bench.
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Cooper; James-Wildin, N.Thompson, Piergianni, Smith; Freeman, L.Thompson, White; Roberts, Reid, List
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Tickle; Robinson, Kerr, Aimson, Sibbick; Weir, Smith; Olakigbe, Aasgaard, Smith; Taylor
We say: Stevenage 1-1 Wigan Athletic
With both teams showing very little form of late, this could turn into a scrap rather than an enthralling game of football. With that in mind, a low-scoring draw could play out, a result that would be welcomed more by the visitors than the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
