Preview: Stockport County vs Wigan Athletic – prediction, team news, lineups

Experiencing contrasting seasons in England’s third tier, Stockport County and Wigan Athletic lock horns at Edgeley Park in League One on Saturday afternoon. 

The hosts shall be aiming to shut the hole to the automated promotion spots and bounce again from a slim 1-0 defeat to Bradford City in midweek, whereas the Latics arrive in improved spirits after Gary Caldwell secured victory in his first match again answerable for his previous membership on Tuesday evening.

Match preview

After placing collectively a powerful seven-recreation unbeaten run in League One, Dave Challinor’s aspect suffered a setback in midweek as former participant Antoni Sarcevic scored the decisive purpose in a 1-0 win for Bradford City, lifting the Bantams above the Hatters within the desk.

Despite the disappointing loss to a playoff rival, the earlier run Stockport County had been on, in addition to earlier season performances, has been ok to make sure the Hatters shall be critical playoff contenders come the tip of the season. 

Following their 31 league outings, Challinor’s males have received 15, drawn eight and misplaced eight, leaving them fifth with 53 factors to their identify and likewise with video games in hand on the perimeters round them to return. 

Supporters shall be desperate to see their aspect return to successful methods shortly, as sustaining a spot inside the highest six at this stage of the marketing campaign may show essential to their promotion ambitions, significantly after narrowly lacking out on Championship soccer final season.

Should they arrive away with three factors on Saturday, they may doubtlessly create an eight-level hole between themselves and seventh place. 

© Imago / Every Second Media

As for Wigan Athletic, they loved the proper begin to Gary Caldwell’s return to the membership as a Joe Taylor strike secured a tough-fought and really a lot-wanted victory over Luton Town on Tuesday evening.

The Scottish boss, who beforehand managed the membership between April 2015 and October 2016 for 71 video games and likewise performed for them, has returned  to Greater Manchester with the duty of steering the Latics away from relegation bother in the course of the run-in.

Caldwell inherited a aspect sitting contained in the relegation zone and winless in eight matches in all competitions, however that successful begin has lifted Wigan out of the underside 4 and offered a a lot-wanted enhance in confidence.

Not solely was it a uncommon victory for Wigan, it additionally marked their first clear sheet since early December towards Burton Albion, highlighting the instant affect Gary Caldwell has made after only one recreation in cost.

Although a successful return for Caldwell is greater than perfect, there may be nonetheless loads of work to be accomplished to make sure League One standing for subsequent season. 

Albeit beneath totally different administration, Wigan earned a degree when the pair met again in August; one other end result like that may proceed a dream begin for Caldwell. 

Stockport County League One kind:

W D W W D L

Stockport County kind (all competitions):

D W W D W L 

Wigan Athletic League One kind:

D L L L L W

Wigan Athletic kind (all competitions):

L L L L L W

Team News

© Imago

Stockport shall be compelled into adjustments after struggling a serious harm setback throughout final day trip. 

Everton loanee Tyler Onyango was compelled off shortly after half-time with a hamstring harm and has since been dominated out for the rest of the season, with surgical procedure required.

Roman Dixon, additionally on mortgage from Everton, could possibly be known as upon to fill the hole at proper-again, though the extra skilled choice Josh Dacres-Cogley can also be obtainable once more after serving a suspension following his crimson card towards Leyton Orient.

In the job lower than every week, it’s unlikely Caldwell will know his greatest XI simply but however he’ll already be compelled to make adjustments to the team after sustaining accidents of their win over Luton Town. 

Raphael Borges Rodrigues was changed earlier than half-time and is unlikely to characteristic on Saturday, Joseph Hungbo is an choice to return in for him if that’s the case. 

Jack Hunt can also be anticipated to overlook out once more after being compelled off with an harm of their FA Cup defeat to Arsenal, whereas James Carragher and Harry McHugh stay sidelined.

On a extra optimistic observe, nevertheless, Baba Adeeko and Luke Robinson have returned to coaching and will doubtlessly be obtainable for choice from the bench.

Stockport County potential beginning lineup:

Hinchliffe; Dacres-Cogley, Hills, Pye; Onyango, Norwood, Bate, Osborn; Sidibeh, Wootton, Diamond

Wigan Athletic potential beginning lineup:

Tickle; Hungbo, Aimson, Kerr, Fox, Murray; Weir, Moxon, Wright; Taylor, Saydee

We say: Stockport County 2-1 Wigan Athletic

Although each side are at reverse ends of the desk, Wigan are an unknown amount beneath Caldwell and shall be out to shock excessive-flying Stockport County. However, we nonetheless count on the Hatters to have an excessive amount of high quality on the day and are available away with three factors. 

For knowledge evaluation of the probably outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.