After three wins and three clean sheets in a row at The DW Stadium, is it becoming the fortress of old? Lets not get ahead of ourselves just yet.
It’s good to see Latics playing free-flowing football again though. Looking at the results, the score-lines would suggest the last two home wins vs Northampton Town and Plymouth Argyle have been difficult, however every viewing fan will know the scoreline should have been far more convincing in Latics’ favour.
Paul Cook’s men sit 2nd in League, behind table-toppers Shrewsbury United, after Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Plymouth.
The Saddlers arrive with just one away win this season, and will be looking to double that tally on Saturday, which would see them move into the top-half of League One.
What the bosses said:
Latics boss Paul Cook told the official site: “Walsall have got some really good players and you can see from some of their results that they will be a threat.”
Walsall manager Jon Whitney told the official site: “Every single game is a test. In League One, this season especially, anyone can beat anyone. We’ll go there expecting a tough game but also with our heads held high and quite confident that we can go and frustrate them.
We`ve got a threat and I`m sure Paul Cook is aware of the energy we`ve got. We`ll look to make sure we can keep them quiet as they try to dominate possession at home.”
Wigan Team News:
If Powell is fit (expect him to be) then I’d expect Latics to be unchanged from Tuesday.
Latics possible 11: Jones, Byrne, Dunkley, Burn, James, Morsy, Evans, Massey, Powell, Jacobs, Grigg
Player to watch: Michael Jacobs
Michael Jacobs: A player in good form having scored two in his last 3 games, including a great goal vs Northampton.
Walsall Team News:
Daniel Agyei came off the bench to score a terrific equaliser against Charlton Athletic in mid-week, so will be pushing for a start.
Walsall possible 11: Gillespie, Devlin, Wilson, Guthrie, Leahy, Ismail, Chambers, Edwards, Morris, Oztumer, Agyei
Player to watch: Erhun Oztumer
Erhun Oztumer: I’ve rated him highly since he signed for Peterborough United. Tricky, creates and scores goals.
Match Facts & Stats
Last 6 meetings:
Walsall 1-2 Wigan
Wigan 0-0 Walsall
Walsall 0-0 Wigan
Wigan 1-0 Walsall
Walsall 2-0 Wigan
Wigan 1-1 Walsall
Ref Watch:
David Coote (Notts)
Match Prediction:
3-1 Latics. And a much needed couple of goals for Will Grigg
Next Fixtures:
Scunthorpe United vs Wigan
Wigan vs Southend United
Gillingham vs Wigan
