Azerbaijan
Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria
Saudi Arabia

Preview: Fleetwood Town vs. Wigan Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 7 August 2022, 11:34
Wigan Athletic will travel to Highbury Stadium on Tuesday for an EFL Cup first-round tie against Fleetwood Town.

The hosts enter the contest off the back of their first win of the season, while Wigan have drawn their opening two league games.

Match preview

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Fleetwood's main priority will be to stay clear of the battle at the bottom of League One.

Scott Brown is just beginning his first season as a manager, and the former Celtic midfielder has overseen a victory and a defeat in his opening two games.

The League One campaign started with a 2-1 away defeat to Port Vale, but the Cod Army bounced back with a narrow win over Plymouth Argyle at the weekend.

Ryan Hardie dispatched his spot-kick in the 23rd minute to give Plymouth the lead, but Daniel Batty restored parity only five minutes later before Joe Garner grabbed a late winner to secure a 2-1 victory.

Brown will now take charge of his first EFL Cup tie, where he will attempt to end Fleetwood's four-game winless run in meetings with Wigan.

Wigan, meanwhile, were competing with Fleetwood in the third tier last season, and it proved to be a successful campaign that resulted in the League One title.

Leam Richardson will be content with his side's start to the Championship season, with their opening two matches both ending in draws.

After playing out a goalless draw with Preston North End, the Latics travelled to Carrow Road at the weekend to face Norwich City.

James McClean gave the visitors a half time lead, but a second half equaliser from Max Aarons ensured Wigan had to settle for a point.

Although they are unbeaten this term, Richardson will hope his side can use Tuesday's League Cup tie to pick up their first win of the season.

Fleetwood Town form (all competitions):

Wigan Athletic EFL Cup form:

Team News

Fleetwood's summer signing Promise Omochere fractured his eye socket in the opening game of the season, and the forward could be out for up to a month.

The hosts will also be without the services of Darnell Johnson, who is currently sidelined with an injury issue.

After coming off the bench to score the winner on Saturday, Joe Garner is expected to be presented with a starting opportunity on Tuesday.

As for Wigan, Jordan Cousins is out with a calf problem, while Jack Whatmough missed the trip to Norwich after he was forced off in the opening league game, and the defender is not expected to be risked for the EFL Cup contest.

Gwion Edwards and Charlie Wyke are nearing returns from their respective injuries, but the pair will not be available on Tuesday.

With at least six games still to play in August, Richardson could rest a number of first-team regulars, which could present the likes of Stephen Humphrys and Tom Pearce with starting opportunities.

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:

Cairns; Johnston, Nsiala, Earl, Andrew; Batty, Wiredu, Vela; Lane, Hayes, J. Garner

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Jones; Nyambe, Carragher, Tilt, Pearce; Shinnie, Naylor; Lang, Aasgaard, McClean; Humphrys

We say: Fleetwood Town 1-2 Wigan Athletic

Previews by email

Top News

1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Youssouf Fofana has confirmed his plan to leave Monaco this summer amid interest from Arsenal and Manchester United. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly interested in Nottingham Forest defender Murillo. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are entering a new era under the management of Hansi Flick, with Xavi incredibly being sacked by the Catalan giants towards the end of last month. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to record back-to-back wins for the first time since early April, St Patrick's Athletic will welcome relegation-threatened Dundalk to Richmond Park for a League of Ireland clash on Monday evening. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has reportedly been told he will need to submit a transfer request if he wants to leave the club. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly edged out Newcastle United in the race for a Premier League defender. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A key Liverpool man has admitted that there is logic to rumours that he could depart the Reds in the near future but has insisted that he is not looking to leave any time soon. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Scotland have been handed a huge injury blow ahead of Euro 2024 with Lyndon Dykes being ruled out of the tournament. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jadon Sancho's career is at a crossroads, with the Manchester United and England forward unsure where he will be playing his football next season. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are expected to move for a new left-back during this summer's transfer window due to concerns over Luke Shaw's injury problems. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk San Lorenzo and Sarmiento will be hoping to record their first win of the Argentine Primera Division second phase when they meet at Estadio Pedro Bidegain on Monday night. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has reportedly put contract negotiations with his club on hold in order to focus on representing England at this summer's European Championship. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides towards the bottom of the Argentine Primera Division come together on Tuesday at the Estadio Norberto Tito Tomaghello on matchday four. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mason Greenwood is reportedly keen to return to Getafe next season, having enjoyed his time with the La Liga outfit during the 2023-24 campaign. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rangers have announced that Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic, Kemar Roofe, John Lundstram and Jon McLaughlin have all left the club following the expiry of their contracts. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Casemiro was reportedly unhappy that he was overlooked for a start in Manchester United's FA Cup final success over Manchester City last weekend. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly close to signing teenager James Overy. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A forgotten Liverpool defender has confirmed his desire to leave the Reds permanently this summer and has blasted the club for 'hindering' his future career. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona could reportedly sell Brazilian attacker Raphinha for €100m (£85.2m) during this summer's transfer window, with a powerful Saudi Pro League outfit said to be determined to sign him. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Romania have announced their provisional 28-man squad ahead of this summer's Euro 2024 in Germany. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Romania have announced their provisional 28-man squad ahead of this summer's Euro 2024 in Germany. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bound for this summer's Euro 2024 finals, Scotland seek an end to their long winless streak on Monday evening, when they meet international minnows Gibraltar at Estadio Algarve. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has named Barcelona's Fermin Lopez and Real Betis' Ayoze Perez in his preliminary squad for this summer's European Championship. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly considering a summer move for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk While Jurgen Klopp lapped up most of the fanfare as he took his Liverpool leave, some attention turned to the Reds players who will not be continuing their careers under Arne Slot. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Beginning their build-up to Euro 2024, Croatia welcome North Macedonia to Rijeka for an international friendly on Monday evening. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Under the watchful eyes of head coach Mikel Arteta and esteemed sporting director Edu, Arsenal have made a habit of tying their integral performers down to new long-term contracts amid their rise to Premier League title challengers. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton have released a statement confirming that 777 Partners' proposed takeover has fallen through having missed the latest deadline to buy the Premier League club. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Before trying to cause a seismic shock in the Euro 2024 Group of Death, Albania seek a stress-free friendly win over minnows Liechtenstein on Monday night in Hungary. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England manager Gareth Southgate should not risk captain Harry Kane for the Three Lions' Euro 2024 warm-up friendly with Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James' Park on Monday evening.