Stockport County travel to Wigan Athletic this weekend, looking to maintain their bid for promotion to the Championship next season.
Heading into the weekend's action, the Hatters are currently fourth in the standings in League One on 54 points, while Wigan are 20 points behind the visitors in 16th position.
Match preview
© Imago
So far, the visitors have exceeded all expectations of them this season, having being promoted as champions of League Two last year.
While some felt that Stockport could compete at a higher level, the possibility of a second consecutive promotion was not something that many had in mind for this season.
After suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Premier League side Crystal Palace in the third round of the FA Cup back in January, Dave Challinor's side have certainly bounced back.
They are unbeaten in the six matches since that defeat and would have won all of them, but for a late equaliser from Sil Swinkels for Bristol Rovers in their 1-1 draw in midweek.
Questions were asked about whether Stockport would be able to cope with the loss of star man Louie Barry, who was recalled by Aston Villa in January and then loaned to Hull City, following an excellent first half of the season.
Replacing the 15 league goals that Barry scored is no easy task, but with two goals in his last two matches, Isaac Olaofe is starting to find a bit of form.
Stockport are the fifth-highest scorers in the division, with 47 goals in 31 games so far, and if they can keep up their good scoring record, they may be able to close the gap on Wycombe Wanderers, who currently occupy the final automatic promotion spot in League One.
They also have the fifth-best defensive record in the division, highlighting the consistency at both ends of the pitch from Challinor's team.
© Imago
Wigan also have a strong defensive record, as they concede just one goal per game on average, with their record of 28 goals conceded in 28 games being good enough to be the seventh-best in the division.
However, unlike their visitors, the hosts have struggled to score goals all season, and their record of 27 goals in 28 games this year is currently the worst scoring record in League One.
This weekend, the Latics will be looking to improve on their disappointing home record, as they have claimed only 16 points on their home turf this season, with only four teams performing worse on their own patch in the division.
The hosts are currently 15 points off the playoff zone and just seven points clear of the relegation zone - with just one win in their last five matches in all competitions, Wigan need to make sure that they start to pick up points again soon, otherwise, that gap will soon close.
The hosts will have some confidence that they can get something from this game, as the Latics grabbed a point when they met Stockport earlier in the season at Edgeley Park, with the two sides playing out a goalless draw back in October.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
Team News
© Imago
Wigan have several injury worries ahead of this match, with Joe Adams (cruciate), Tyrese Francois (ankle), Dion Rankine (hamstring) and Matt Smith (hamstring) all out for the foreseeable future.
Elsewhere, Luke Chambers (back) and Kai Payne (knee) are also sidelined due to injury, while Baba Adeeko is a doubt, having only recently returned from a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, the visitors could be without Lewis Bate due to injury, with Owen Moxon expected to deputise in midfield.
Stockport are likely to start with both Olaofe and Kyle Wootton in attack, as they have both continued to perform well following the departure of Barry in January.
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Tickle; Robinson, Kerr, Carragher, Sibbick; McHugh, S Smith, J Smith, Weir, Asamoah; Taylor
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchliffe; Touray, Pye, Connolly, Hills; Diamond, Moxon, Norwood, Collar; Wootton, Olaofe
We say: Wigan Athletic 1-2 Stockport County
Stockport need to keep winning to continue their promotion push, and we think they will edge a tight encounter against Wigan this weekend.
The Latics have not got the best record at home this season and the Hatters should look to profit from that in this clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
