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

In sharp contrast, the visitors to Kenilworth Road have earned just one win in six league games since earning promotion to the second tier.

Match preview

Having failed to win any of their opening four Championship matches, Luton looked very much in hangover mode after their near-miss with promotion to the Premier League during 2021-22.

However, collecting seven points from three fixtures has kick-started the Hatters' season and there are now reasons to be optimistic for another bid for the playoffs.

Nathan Jones witnessed his side collect four points from meetings with Swansea City and Sheffield United ahead of making the trip to Cardiff City earlier this week.

Although they conceded a late goal, early second-half strikes proved pivotal as they earned a 2-1 triumph in South Wales to further extend their impressive away record this campaign.

Nevertheless, Luton have netted just once in three league fixtures at Kenilworth Road, something that Jones is aware must change over the coming weeks and months.

From Wigan's perspective, they will be content with occupying 18th position at this stage of the season when also having a game in hand.

Aside from a 5-1 defeat at home to Burnley, Leam Richardson's team have held their own with their latest draw coming at home to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night.

Goals remain an issue with the Latics yet to score more than once in a second-tier fixture since earning promotion from League One.

Nevertheless, accumulating results at more than a point per game was the objective during the weeks of the season, and Richardson will hope to build on four points being claimed from recent away trips to Norwich City and Birmingham City.

Luton Town Championship form:

Luton Town form (all competitions):

Wigan Athletic Championship form:

Wigan Athletic form (all competitions):

Team News

With Reece Burke likely to miss out with a head injury, Gabriel Osho is expected to feature in the Luton back three.

The remainder of the team could stay the same, although the likes of Fred Onyedinma and Cameron Jerome are both pushing for opportunities in the final third.

Although Richardson has alternative options for his Wigan attack, Will Keane and Josh Magennis are likely to retain their spots after scoring in recent games.

Callum Lang is again expected to miss out due to a knock to his knee, with defender Tendayi Darikwa sidelined after a dislocated shoulder.

Any deadline-day arrivals for either team are expected to be named on the substitutes' bench at best.

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Horvath; Burke, Lockyer, Potts; Bree, Freeman, Clark, Bell; Campbell; Adebayo, Morris

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Amos; Kerr, Whatmough, Tilt; Nyambe, Naylor, Power, Shinnie, McClean; Magennis, Keane

We say: Luton Town 2-0 Wigan Athletic

Having held West Brom in midweek, Wigan will be confident of earning another positive result against a promotion-chasing team. However, we are predicting a relatively comfortable win for the home side, possibly with a clean sheet as well.

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