Preview: Burton Albion vs. Wigan Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors have lost four of their last five league matches, falling into the relegation zone as a result.

Match preview

Burton, on the other hand, remained one point ahead of Reading - and the bottom four positions - by drawing 0-0 away to the Royals on Saturday.

Reading dominated the encounter, posting 20 shots in total from 64% possession of the ball, but Dino Maamria's side stood firm despite facing plenty of pressure throughout the contest.

After collecting just two points from their opening seven fixtures, the Brewers' improved form in recent weeks suggests that they do have enough about them to avoid relegation this season, having started slowly this time last year before kicking on later in the campaign.

However, replicating or bettering their 15th-placed finish may prove to be a difficult ask for them, with their gap in front of the relegation places likely to be much smaller than 11 points this time around.

Wigan, meanwhile, would have had aspirations of bouncing back to the Championship at the first attempt until their eight-point deduction prior to a ball being kicked this season.

Financial difficulties have plagued the Latics in recent years, contributing to them being relegated from the second tier on four separate occasions since the 2014-15 campaign, with their players' wages regularly being paid late.

However, Shaun Maloney would have retained serious belief that his side could overcome the obstacles in front of them to achieve promotion after collecting 10 points from their opening four games to move into a positive points total, but four defeats from their following five league matches has seen them drop to third-bottom in the table.

The former Scotland winger will certainly be viewing their trip to Burton on Tuesday as an excellent opportunity to return to winning ways, and more than likely move outside of the relegation places in the process.

Burton Albion League One form:

D

L

L

W

D

D

Burton Albion form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

W

D

Wigan Athletic League One form:

W

L

L

W

L

L

Wigan Athletic form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

L

L

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Team News

Maamria is unlikely to make many alterations after seeing his team avoid defeat for the third successive league game at the weekend, but Josh Gordon and Rekeem Harper offer two options to freshen things up if required.

Harper has struggled to make an impact since joining on loan from Ipswich Town for the season, but the 23-year-old could provide more creativity from midfield.

Wigan, meanwhile, will remain without Jason Kerr and Stephane Sessegnon due to injuries, while Charlie Wyke is suspended after being sent off against Portsmouth on Saturday.

Callum Lang is likely to replace the former Sunderland striker within the visitors' attacking unit, with Stephen Humphreys potentially moving from the right flank to a more familiar central role.

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Crocombe; Hamer, S Hughes, Sweeney, Seddon; Bennett, Ohsilaja, Powell, Harper; Gordon, Lubala

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Tickle; Rekik, C Hughes, Watts, Pearce; Adeeko, Smith; Lang, Aasgard, Godo; Humphreys

We say: Burton Albion 1-2 Wigan Athletic

Although Wigan have hit a slump in recent weeks, Maloney's side still retain plenty of individual quality at this level, and we can envisage them returning to winning ways on Tuesday.

Burton were extremely fortunate to avoid defeat against fellow strugglers Reading last time out, and it could still be a difficult season for them despite being unbeaten in their last three matches.

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