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

The home side start the night in 15th place, while the visitors are currently in the relegation zone.

Match preview

After winning promotion back to the Championship last season, Wigan have made a decent start to life in the English second tier, picking up 19 points from their first 14 games.

Despite their steady form so far, the Latics have struggled in home matches, acquiring just six points from their opening seven games at the DW stadium, the second-worst record in the league.

There may be signs of a turnaround however, with Leam Richardson's side securing an impressive 1-0 win against fifth-placed Blackburn Rovers in their last home outing, courtesy of a second-half Nathan Broadhead strike.

Last time out though, Wigan could not follow up their midweek win, falling to a 2-1 defeat away at Sunderland, a result that meant the Black Cats moved above them in the league.

Having only been promoted to the Championship last season, the Latics may have their sights set on consolidating their place in the league, and are currently doing just that, six points clear of their opponents Middlesbrough, who occupy the nearest place in the relegation zone.

Indeed, Middlesbrough have been unable to build on a seventh place finish last season, currently finding themselves embroiled in a battle at the wrong end of the table, picking up just 13 points from their opening 14 games.

To make matters worse, Huddersfield Town have a game in hand and would move above Boro with a win, as would Coventry City, who have played three games less.

Following a 1-0 defeat against Coventry at the start of October, Chris Wilder was sacked by the Teessiders after an 11-month spell at the club, with Leo Percovich named as the caretaker manager.

Initially, Percovich got off to a good start, winning 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium against Birmingham City in his first match in charge, a result that took his side out of the relegation zone.

Since then however, things have started to go back downhill, losing 2-0 away at Millwall, before succumbing to a 2-1 home defeat against Blackburn Rovers.

As such, Middlesbrough need to start winning games soon, and they have a great opportunity to do so on Wednesday night, given Wigan's poor home record.

Wigan Athletic Championship form:

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Middlesbrough Championship form:

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Team News

Striker Callum Lang remains unavailable for Wigan due to an ankle injury that is likely to keep him out until the end of October, and Charlie Wyke set to start up front in his absence, having scored in his last match.

In his side's last two matches, Leam Richardson has switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Will Keane and Nathan Broadhead expected to be the supporting two behind Wyke, who will be a lone striker.

Elsewhere, captain Max Power has started every game this season, and he is expected to get the nod in the centre of midfield, while James McClean has also been an important figure, set to start again on Power's left.

Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns heading into the match, but Percovich may choose to change his side after their recent poor form.

Rodrigo Muniz is goalless in his last five games and was withdrawn early last time out, so Chuba Akpom may be the preferred choice in attack.

Duncan Watmore is set to keep his place and start alongside Akpom, having scored his side's only goal in the defeat against Blackburn.

Matt Crooks has started the last eight games for Boro, notching two goals and two assists so far this season, the most goal contributions of any Middlesbrough player, with the 28-year-old likely to start in midfield.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Amos; Tilt, Whatmough, Kerr; McClean, Naylor, Power, Darikwa; Broadhead, Keane; Wyke

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Steffen; McNair, Fry, Lenihan; Dijksteel, Crooks, Howson, Hackney, Giles; Akpom, Watmore

We say: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Middlesbrough

Wigan have struggled at home so far this season, but a win against Blackburn in their last match at the DW Stadium should give them confidence going into this one. As such, we think that they will manage to get a narrow victory, particularly given the fact that Middlesbrough are without a permanent manager.

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