Wigan Athletic will try to extend their unbeaten league run to six matches when they welcome Stevenage to the DW Stadium on Saturday.
The Latics, who have had eight points deducted this season, currently occupy 11th place in the League One table, while the visitors are in seventh position and three points adrift of the playoffs.
Match preview
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Since falling to a narrow defeat to Derby County on Boxing Day, Wigan have gone on to embark upon a five-game unbeaten league run (W3, D2).
They began their impressive spell of form with a 2-0 home win over Carlisle United, before they recorded back-to-back away draws against Barnsley and Northampton Town.
After returning to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 victory over Reading, the Latics repeated the scoreline in Tuesday's home clash with Wycombe Wanderers.
With the midweek contest heading towards a goalless draw, Charlie Hughes scored a dramatic late winner in the 20th minute of stoppage time to snatch all three points and move Wigan into the top half of the table
As a result of Tuesday's success, Wigan have now won their last three home league games without conceding, while they have also taken a total of 28 points from their 14 home matches in the third tier – a tally that can only be bettered by Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers.
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Stevenage, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, having won two, drawn one and lost two of their previous five league matches.
However, they did enjoy success in their most recent outing against Shrewsbury Town on January 13, with Jamie Reid scoring an 84th-minute winner to secure his side's first win of 2024.
Steve Evans would have been looking for his side to build upon that result last weekend, but their home meeting with Barnsley was ultimately postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Stevenage will now resume their playoff push at the DW Stadium, where they have the chance to claim a league double over Wigan after winning 1-0 in the reverse fixture.
The visitors have fared reasonably well on their travels this term, having collected 25 points from their 14 away matches in the third tier – only four League One teams have picked up more points on the road this season.
Team News
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The hosts are expected to be without the services of Tom Pearce, Scott Smith and Martial Godo due to their respective injury issues.
Callum Lang will not be involved after Maloney revealed that the forward has requested a transfer following a "verbal offer" from another club.
Brentford loanee Charlie Goode will retain his place in the backline after making his Wigan debut in Tuesday's win over Reading.
As for the visitors, they have made a number of loan additions, including the signing of goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray from MK Dons.
Full-back Nesta Guiness-Walker and forward Vadaine Oliver have joined on temporary deals from Reading and Bradford City respectively.
While their three January additions are expected to feature in the matchday squad, Stevenage are still unable to call upon defender Nathan Thompson, who will serve the third game of a four-match suspension.
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Tickle; Goode, Hughes, Chambers; Sessegnon, Smith, Adeeko, Jones; Humphrys, Aasgard, Wyke
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Ashby-Hammond; Wildin, Vancooten, Piergianni, Butler; Freeman, Roberts, Burns, Forster-Caskey; Reid, Hemmings
We say: Wigan Athletic 2-1 Stevenage
Playoff-chasing Stevenage will be targeting a second straight victory as they look to close the three-point gap to the top six.
However, we think that the visitors could be in for a disappointing afternoon, as we believe that Wigan will claim a narrow win to record a fourth consecutive home victory.
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