Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Friendly Games
Nigeria

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 9 March 2023, 12:15
Burnley play host to Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon looking for the win which will take the club a step closer to promotion to the Premier League.

At a time when the Clarets hold a 17-point lead over third position in the Championship standings, the visitors are bottom and six points adrift of safety.

Match preview

Having managed to score just one goal against a 10-man Fleetwood Town side and struggling Blackpool, there is an argument that fatigue may be setting in at Burnley.

Nevertheless, having reached the FA Cup quarter-finals while still holding a 10-point lead in the title race, Vincent Kompany will be more than satisfied in the long term.

A rare midweek off can only benefit the Clarets as they bid to extend their unbeaten record in all competitions to 17 matches at the weekend.

Such has been Burnley's dominance in the Championship this campaign that they can reach the 80-point mark on Saturday with 10 matches remaining. Over the past five seasons, the biggest points haul that has missed out on a top-two spot is Fulham's total of 88 in 2017-18.

That said, statistics will matter little to Kompany and his squad at this stage as they bid to move closer to getting over the line before the run-in.

From Wigan's perspective, this is not the ideal fixture when they have already faced West Bromwich Albion, another team with a strong home record, earlier this week.

Shaun Maloney's team only went down 1-0 at The Hawthorns, yet it was their fifth match without success at a time when they are losing ground on 21st spot.

Although Maloney is improving this Wigan side, just seven points have been accumulated from as many matches, something which will not be enough to avoid relegation.

The Latics do not possess the most favourable of schedules until the end of the season, either, as they prepare to try to end a winless away streak which has lasted since the start of October.

Burnley Championship form:

W

D

W

D

W

D

Burnley form (all competitions):

D

W

D

W

W

D

Wigan Athletic Championship form:

W

D

D

L

D

L

Team News

Jack Cork could return to the Burnley XI with Josh Brownhill being ruled out for a number of weeks through the injury that he sustained against Blackpool.

Ian Maatsen may feature in the squad after a shoulder problem, but minimal changes are expected with the squad having been able to have a week without a fixture.

The likes of Taylor Harwoood-Bellis, Benson Manuel and Jay Rodriguez should be introduced back into the fold over the coming weeks.

Although Wigan gave a good account of themselves at West Brom, Maloney will likely tinker with his side for the daunting trip to Turf Moor.

Christ Tiehi will be assessed after picking up a knock on Tuesday night, with Tom Naylor potentially being recalled to match his defensive qualities.

Jack Whatmough and Joe Bennett are also alternatives in the back three with Ryan Nyambe either dropping out or reverting to a more familiar wing-back role.

Burnley possible starting lineup:

Muric; Roberts, Ekdal, Beyer, Vitinho; Cork, Cullen; Tella, Gudmundsson, Zaroury; Barnes

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Amos; Hughes, Rekik, Bennett; Darikwa, Power, Naylor, McClean; Keane, Sinani; Fletcher

We say: Burnley 2-0 Wigan Athletic

With Wigan having tightened things up at the back under Maloney, they will have the mindset that they can earn a surprise result at Turf Moor. Nevertheless, no team is yet to beat Burnley as the away side this campaign, and we do not expect that to start at the weekend.

Previews by email

Top News

11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Al-Nassr have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Manchester United midfielder Casemiro. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea and Aston Villa have reportedly taken a step back from pursuing a highly-rated La Liga attacker due to his salary demands. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will reportedly not announce a deal for Kylian Mbappe until after the Champions League final. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Manchester United are apparently among the teams keeping a close eye on the exploits of a highly-rated Ligue 1 teenager. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Luka Modric's agent Valdika Lemic has revealed that a final decision on the his client's future is yet to be made, but his situation at Real Madrid "will be clearer" next week. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Josko Gvardiol has explained why he did not take a penalty to potentially complete his hat-trick in Manchester City's 4-0 Premier League win over Fulham. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United's European aspirations have suffered a slight blow in a 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at St James' Park. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Luton Town's Premier League survival chances have been left in tatters courtesy of a 3-1 defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Burnley have been officially relegated from the Premier League owing to a 2-1 defeat to top-four chasing Tottenham Hotspur in North London. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have set a new English football record after cruising to a 4-0 victory away against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking their first Premier League double over Manchester United since the 2006-07 season, Arsenal head to Old Trafford to square off with the Red Devils on Sunday afternoon. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Granada's relegation from La Liga to the Segunda Division has been confirmed due to Mallorca's 1-0 win over Las Palmas on Saturday afternoon. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League champions-elect Al-Hilal are reportedly considering making a move for Tottenham Hotspur attacker Richarlison in the upcoming transfer market. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal could break a pair of club records in the Premier League era in Sunday's headline fixture against Manchester United at Old Trafford. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Josko Gvardiol netted a brace to help Manchester City move to the top of the Premier League table with a commanding 4-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hansi Flick has reportedly 'expressed an interest' in becoming Manchester United's next head coach amid the ongoing speculation surrounding Erik ten Hag's future at Old Trafford. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Kylian Mbappe will allegedly take a substantial pay cut to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly contemplating a cut-price transfer swoop for Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava in the upcoming transfer window. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi is expected to make a couple of changes to his starting side for Monday's La Liga clash against Real Sociedad. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be bidding to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they welcome Real Sociedad to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Monday evening. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk If reports are to be believed, Chelsea are eager to secure a deal for Palmeiras teenager Estevao Willian as soon as possible. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sunday's Primeira Liga fixture at the Estadio da Luz sees second-placed Benfica welcome seventh-placed Arouca. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly identified the player who they would like to make as their first signing of the summer. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has suggested that he has become used to 'working with instability' at Stamford Bridge. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Now heading for another European final, Fiorentina are back in Serie A action on Monday, when they host mid-table Monza at Stadio Franchi. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou is reportedly prepared to part ways with as many as nine players during the summer transfer window. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sunday's Primeira Liga clash at the Estadio do Dragao sees third-placed Porto host 14th-placed Boavista in a pivotal game for both sides in their respective quests for Europa League football and top-flight survival. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Needing just one point to ensure safety, Lecce welcome fellow Serie A strugglers Udinese to Stadio Via del Mare on Monday evening. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Charlotte FC vs. Nashville (Sunday, 12.30am) Charlotte FC are set to host Nashville SC at the Bank of America Stadium on Sunday in MLS's Eastern Conference.