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Wigan logo
Championship
Feb 1, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Charlton Athletic

2-1

Fortune (88'), Gomez (91')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Sordell (3')

Preview: Wigan Athletic vs. Charlton Athletic

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Wigan and struggling Charlton at the DW Stadium.

Wigan Athletic will look to keep their Championship playoff hopes alive when they host Charlton Athletic at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

The Latics currently sit seven points behind sixth-placed Reading, but their recent form, coupled with two games in hand, suggests that they could be in line to make a late charge for the playoffs.

They have improved markedly under manager Uwe Rosler, with a shock 3-0 defeat to Doncaster Rovers earlier this month their only slip-up since he took charge.

Wigan could move as high as seventh with a win on Saturday, although they would also need other results to go their way and a six-goal swing between themselves and Ipswich Town.

The hosts have a good home record to fall back on having lost just twice at the DW Stadium in their 13 Championship matches there this season, although five of the remaining 11 games have ended in draws.

The Latics have kept clean sheets in five of their last six Championship games, but only two teams outside the bottom three have scored fewer goals than them this season.

That didn't seem to trouble them in their last home outing in the league, however, as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Bournemouth.

Looking for a repeat of that performance, Rosler could name Nick Powell and Nicky Maynard in the same lineup for the first time as he has a fully fit squad to choose from apart from long-term absentees Shaun Maloney and Gary Caldwell.

Charlton are in desperate need of three points themselves having slipped into the relegation zone following a run of just one win in 10 matches.

Their survival hopes have taken a blow from the improved form of the teams around them, and they are now two points adrift of safety.

Chris Powell's side did make it into the fifth round of the FA Cup last weekend courtesy of a 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town, but they were brought crashing back down to earth with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday.

The Addicks have gone seven games without a win on their travels in the league, while they have only managed to pick up maximum points twice all season, giving them the joint third worst away record in the division.

They have defensive worries for this game too, with Lawrie Wilson suspended and Leon Cort, Rhoys Wiggins and Chris Solly all doubtful.

Recent form

Wigan: DWWLWD

Charlton: DDLWWL

Possible starting lineups

Wigan: Al-Habsi; Perch, Barnett, Boyce, Beausejour; McArthur, Watson; McClean, Powell, McManaman; Maynard

Charlton: Alnwick; Solly, Morrison, Wood, Wiggins; Harriott, Jackson, Stephens, Cousins; Kermorgant, Church

Sports Mole says: 3-1


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New manager of Wigan Athletic, Uwe Rosler, looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic at Hillsborough Stadium on December 18, 2013
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