Wigan Athletic will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins in the EFL Trophy and secure their spot in the next stage of the competition when they welcome Nottingham Forest Under-21s to the Brick Community Stadium on Tuesday night.
The hosts are currently second in Northern Group C, picking up three points from their two matches, while Forest Under-21s are third, also on three points from their opening two games in the competition.
Match preview
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Wigan will enter Tuesday's clash off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in League One, with the result leaving them in 19th position in the League One table, boasting 14 points from 14 matches.
Shaun Maloney's side have lost three of their last five matches in all competitions, with their only victory during that run proving to be a 2-0 success over Carlisle United in the first round of the FA Cup at the start of November.
The Latics have not been victorious in League One since the start of October, picking up just two points from their last five matches, but they did triumph in the EFL Trophy last time out, beating Carlisle United 2-0 on their travels.
Wigan opened their Northern Group C campaign with a 2-1 loss at home to Morecambe, though, so a total of three points from two matches has left them in second spot in the table, three points behind leaders Morecambe.
The hosts are in a strong position to reach the next stage heading into the final set of matches, but they will be wary of a Forest Under-21s outfit that have a number of talented youngsters.
The visitors recorded a 2-1 victory over Carlisle United in their opening match of the 2024-25 EFL Trophy at the start of September, but they were beaten 4-2 by Morecambe last time out.
Warren Joyce's side also have three points from their two matches, and a win would take them into the next round, while a draw would be enough if they were to win the resulting penalty shootout.
Forest Under-21s will enter the match off the back of a 5-1 victory over Hull City Under-21s in the Premier League Cup, while their last league game ended in a 4-1 win over Middlesbrough Under-21s.
The Reds are currently 12th in Premier League 2, picking up 12 points from their opening eight matches, and a strong defensive record has seen them concede just seven times.
The visitors will be the underdogs heading into Tuesday's contest, but Wigan will make a number of changes to their usual XI, which should hand Joyce's team confidence ahead of what is an intriguing game in the EFL Trophy.
Team News
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Wigan head coach Maloney will make a number of changes to his side for Tuesday's match, with James Carragher and Tom Watson both set for starts.
Harry McHugh has featured as a right-back in the competition this season, and the midfielder could again operate in that area against Forest Under-21s, while Tyrese Francois should also start.
Josh Stones was on the scoresheet in the team's previous match in the competition, but he has since joined Oldham Athletic on loan, meaning that there could be a spot through the middle for Maleace Asamoah on Tuesday night.
Thelo Aasgaard is Wigan's leading goalscorer this season with four goals, but the 22-year-old is unlikely to be a part of the squad for the fixture with Joyce's team.
As for Forest Under-21s, Jack Nadin has been a standout performer for the team this season, scoring three times in 10 appearances, and the 20-year-old will again be in the side here.
Danni Anisjko is expected to operate through the middle, while Joe Gardner has two goals this season and should also continue in attack, with George Murray-Jones featuring between the sticks.
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Watson; McHugh, Carragher, Sibbick, Miller; J Smith, S Smith, Payne, Francois, Olakigbe; Asamoah
Nottingham Forest Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Murray-Jones; Thompson, Hammond, Abbott, McAdam; Perkins, Perry, Nadin; Back, Gardner, Anisjko
We say: Wigan Athletic 2-1 Nottingham Forest Under-21s
Forest Under-21s have the quality to make this a difficult match for Wigan, and there will be a number of changes to the home side's strongest XI. However, we are expecting the Latics to secure their spot in the next round of the competition with a win.
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