Preview: Wigan Athletic vs. Lincoln City - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, who occupy ninth place in the League One table, will be looking to continue their promising form and make it four games without defeat.

Match preview

Despite being hit with an eight-point deduction this term, 14th-placed Wigan have managed to put a six-point gap between themselves and the bottom four to ease their fears of back-to-back relegations.

After beating Fleetwood Town 3-0 in their most recent league fixture, the Latics carried their promising form into the cup competitions.

Stephen Humphrys's second-half strike guided Wigan to a narrow 1-0 FA Cup victory over fifth-tier York City, setting up a glamour tie with Premier League giants Manchester United in the third round.

They followed that result with a 2-0 victory over Stockport County in midweek, as goals from Jonny Smith and Liam Morrison secured the Latics a place in the last 16.

As a result of their midweek success, Shaun Maloney's side have won won three consecutive home games by a combined 7-1 scoreline, which will fill them with confidence ahead of Saturday's home clash.

After beginning his Lincoln tenure with a defeat, Michael Skubala has overseen an upturn in fortunes in recent weeks, beginning with a narrow win over Leyton Orient, which ended a four-game winless league run.

Skubala then saw his side salvage a draw against Barnsley in his first home game in charge, before the Imps cruised to a 3-0 away win over Cambridge United in their most recent outing at the end of November.

Daniel Mandroiu opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Dylan Duffy and Jack Vale grabbed a goal apiece to take Lincoln's tally to 30 points, leaving them in ninth place and three points adrift of the playoffs.

After their midweek EFL Trophy game against Accrington Stanley was postponed, Lincoln have had plenty of rest ahead of a busy month of fixtures, beginning with their first meeting with Wigan since losing 3-1 at home in April 2022.

While they may have lost that home fixture, the Imps have emerged victorious from their last two trips to the DW Stadium, winning 2-1 in February 2021 before repeating the scoring line in October of the same year.

Wigan Athletic League One form:

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Wigan Athletic form (all competitions):

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Lincoln City League One form:

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Lincoln City form (all competitions):

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Team News

Wigan are unable to call upon defender Tom Pearce and Fulham loanee Martial Godo after the pair sustained knee and ankle injury in last weekend's FA Cup success against York.

The injured duo have joined a lengthy absentee list, which features James Balagizi, Jason Kerr, Matt Smith, Steven Sessegnon, Thelo Aasgaard and Charlie Wyke.

Humphrys has scored seven goals in 19 league appearances this season, and the forward will have the chance to add to that tally when he leads the line against Lincoln.

As for the visitors, they remain without the services of long-term injury absentees Lewis Montsma and Ben House.

Lincoln also have doubts over the availability of Lasse Sorensen, Teddy Bishop, and Sean Roughan, who have all been struggling with injury issues.

After seeing his side cruise past Cambridge in their last outing, Skubala could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup for Saturday's contest.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Rekik, Pearce; Adeeko, S.Smith; Godo, Lang, Jones; Humphrys

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Mitchell, Jackson, Eyoma; Burroughs, Smith, Erhahon, Duffy; Hamilton, Mandroui, Makama

We say: Wigan Athletic 2-1 Lincoln City

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