Wigan Athletic head into Saturday's encounter with Queens Park Rangers knowing that only a victory will realistically do if they want to avoid relegation from the Championship.

At a time when the bottom-placed club are eight points adrift of safety, 19th-placed QPR only sit six points above the bottom three.

Match preview

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On the back of two spirited draws against Coventry City and Watford, Shaun Maloney could feel optimistic about the development of his Wigan side.

However, the Scot was aware that a three-point deduction was due to be enforced courtesy of the club failing to pay wages on time, that punishment subsequently being confirmed over the international break.

Now eight points adrift of safety, there is an increasingly inevitability regarding a return to League One, yet Maloney must instil that one win has the potential of changing their fortunes for the better.

Such is Wigan's plight that they cannot move off the bottom of the table with a win this weekend, yet some positives can be taken from five draws being posted in their last eight games.

The Latics are also on a four-match unbeaten streak at the DW Stadium, and that needs to be extended when coming up against one of their direct relegation rivals.

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Gareth Ainsworth has not made the impact that the powers-that-be at Loftus Road would have hoped for, as QPR are now closer to the bottom three than they were under Neil Critchley.

The Hoops have suffered damaging defeats in a variety of ways, a 6-1 thrashing at Blackpool being followed by a 1-0 reverse at home to Birmingham City.

Faced with a difficult run-in, Ainsworth knows that matches such as the one on Saturday could prove pivotal when it comes to retaining their second-tier status.

While three points in the North West could leave QPR nine points clear of safety, defeat may put them in a position where they are just three points above 22nd spot.

Team News

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Omar Rekik could start in the Wigan back three after being introduced as an early replacement for Charlie Hughes versus Watford two weeks ago.

A switch in formation led to half-time substitute Callum Lang providing the assist for Wigan's equaliser, but Maloney may wish to stick with a three-man defence.

Stefan Johansen may be drafted back into the QPR XI with Chris Martin most likely to drop out of the team.

With Kenneth Paal and Ilias Chair having each returned to fitness, the pair could be handed starts, particularly the former at left wing-back.

Osman Kakay would drop down to the bench, while Jamal Lowe may also miss out on a starting role if Chair is brought back into the team.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Amos; Rekik, Caulker, Nyambe, Darikwa, Power, Naylor, McClean; Tiehi; Sinani, Keane

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng, Dickie, Dunne, Field; Adomah, Amos, Iroegbunam, Johansen, Paal; Lowe, Dykes

We say: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

All things considered, this feels a pivotal fixture for both clubs, and the tension could affect the two sides. With that in mind, we feel that a share of the spoils could be played out, one which would not be ideal for either team.

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

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