Wigan Athletic will be looking to climb closer to safety in League One when they welcome early-season high-flyers Oxford United to the DW Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Latics enjoyed a backs-to-the-wall win at Exeter City on the weekend, whilst Oxford were forced to share the spoils at the Kassam Stadium with recently-relegated Blackpool.
Match preview
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Heading to St James Park after suffering four straight defeats in League One, supporters of Wigan were not expecting much on their travels against Exeter last time out, however a spirited defensive display - coupled with moments of quality and a sprinkling good fortune - helped the visitors to all three points.
The Latics went ahead in Devon after just eight minutes thanks to Martial Godo's second goal of the campaign, and despite having only 28% possession during the contest, Wigan were able to seal the win in the 97th minute, when Exeter centre-back Will Aimson scored an own goal.
Shaun Maloney was unable to keep the Greater Manchester club in the Championship last term amid drama surrounding unpaid wages and a three-point deduction, and it appears that the Scotsman has a real job on his hands to prevent back-to-back relegations as uncertainty continues to swirl around the DW Stadium.
Wigan currently sit 21st in the League One standings, having actually collected 12 points from their opening 12 matches, however a four-point penalty inflicted at the start of the term means the Latics are only ahead of Fleetwood Town on goal difference.
Key to Maloney's men avoiding the dreaded drop this term will be striker Charlie Wyke, who has netted six goals in nine third-tier appearances so far this season, with the 30-year-old proving a real threat at this level during his three-year spell at Sunderland.
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Oxford extended their unbeaten run in League One to six matches with a 1-1 draw at home to Blackpool on Saturday afternoon, however the share of the spoils at the Kassam did end the hosts' five-game winning spell in the competition, although that did not look like being the case until the final stages.
Right-back Gregory Leigh scored his fifth goal in just seven league appearances in the first period to set the U's on their way to another routine success, but former Blackburn Rovers marksman Jordan Rhodes had not read the script, firing home a 92nd-minute equaliser for the Seasiders.
Following a 19th-placed finish in League One last term - the club's lowest since gaining promotion from the fourth tier in 2016 - Oxford are currently second in the league standings, five points ahead of third-placed Barnsley despite playing a game fewer.
Only Neil Collins's Tykes side can best the U's record of 24 goals in the division to date, with strikes coming from new signings Mark Harris and Ruben Rodrigues, alongside the usual suspects such as engine-room maestro Cameron Brannagan, who recently notched up his 250th appearance for the club.
Oxford have won four of their five away matches in League One so far in the 2023-24 campaign, with their only defeat coming on the opening day at Cambridge United, who ran out comfortable 2-0 victors courtesy of finishes from Jack Lankester and Ipswich Town loanee Gassan Ahadme.
Team News
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Despite a brilliant victory in Devon on the weekend, Wigan boss Maloney could make a couple of changes for the visit of Oxford, with Liam Shaw and Josh Magennis pushing for starts.
Omar Rekik had to settle for a place on the bench at St James Park, and it is unlikely that Maloney will disrupt a back three of Liam Morrison, Charlie Hughes and Sean Clare following a hard-earned clean sheet.
Oxford could also freshen up their XI after only collecting a point against Blackpool on Saturday afternoon, meaning the likes of Tyler Goodrham and Josh Murphy could be in line for starts.
Goalkeeper James Beadle is enjoying his first prolonged taste of first-team football after moving on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer - the 19-year-old will be aiming to record his fifth shutout of the term on Tuesday night.
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Morrison; Sessegnon, Smith, Adeeko, Pearce; Humphreys, Godo, Magennis
Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Beadle; Leigh, Long, Moore, Brown; McEachran, McGuane, Rodrigues, Goodrham, Mills; Harris
We say: Wigan Athletic 1-2 Oxford United
Wigan produced a formidable defensive performance to earn all three points at Exeter, however there are questions of whether the Latics can do the same against Oxford this time around.
The U's will be desperate to get back to winning ways after dropping points late on against Blackpool, and we believe the visitors will be victorious on Tuesday night.
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Top tip
Carter White
