Wigan Athletic and Luton Town will be meeting for the third time this year when they square off in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Luton, who occupy ninth spot in the standings, edged out their bottom-placed hosts in an FA Cup third-round replay earlier this week.
Match preview
© Reuters
Between Boxing Day and last weekend, everything had gone swimmingly for Rob Edwards and his Luton side, who established themselves as playoff contenders with three successive wins.
However, letting slip a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at home to fellow in-form outfit West Bromwich Albion hurt the Hatters, who missed out on the chance to move into the top six.
There is also potential for the capitulation to have long-term ramifications for Luton, who now have just one clean sheet in their last nine fixtures in all competitions.
Equally, though, coming from behind to defeat Wigan in the FA Cup could keep Luton on track, with Elijah Adebayo netting a 98th-minute winner at the DW Stadium.
The forward has now scored in successive matches having previously waited since October 15 to end his wait for another strike, and Edwards will hope that it is the start of a stronger period of form for the 25-year-old.
© Reuters
From Wigan's perspective, they are still searching for their first win since the appointment of Kolo Toure, that streak now reaching eight games.
The Latics have been much improved of late, posting draws with Luton and Cardiff City away from home before letting slip their lead over the former in midweek.
Nevertheless, the gap to safety currently stands at four points, and Toure will acknowledge that his team need to get a victory on the board sooner rather than later.
While Wigan have failed to keep a clean sheet under the former Arsenal defender, the North West outfit have scored in every fixture, a run which has now lasted nine contests.
Team News
© Reuters
Having been required to make changes for the FA Cup tie, Toure could revert back to much of the team which started the 1-1 draw at Cardiff.
Steven Caulker should return to the back three, while Miguel Azeez may make his first start in place of the injured Jordan Cousins.
Christ Tiehi may also feature in the squad for the first time after a loan move from Slovan Liberec.
Carlton Morris will be assessed after he sustained a minor calf injury versus West Brom last weekend.
Cauley Woodrow is on standby to deputise for the top goalscorer if required, while Gabriel Osho and Daniel Potts could feature in the back three to allow James Bree to return to wing-back.
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Amos; Hughes, Caulker, Tilt; Nyambe, Power, Naylor, Azeez, McClean; Lang, Keane
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Horvath; Osho, Lockyer, Potts; Bree, Campbell, Clark, Mpanzu, Doughty; Adebayo, Morris
We say: Wigan Athletic 1-2 Luton Town
The most recent two meetings have been closer than many anticipated, and we expect another competitive match here. However, we feel like the same scoreline as Tuesday is the most likely outcome, albeit not with a last-gasp winner on this occasion.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
