Wiganvs.Leyton Orient

The O's are sitting outside the League One relegation zone on goal difference, while the hosts are just two points better off in 17th position.

Match preview

Wigan currently find themselves in a relegation battle, with the Latics sitting two points above the drop zone after winning five, drawing five and losing seven of their 17 league matches this season.

The Latics did at least enjoy a strong end to November, recording a 1-0 away win against Barnsley before claiming a narrow 2-1 home victory against Northampton Town.

Wigan then fought back from a goal down to clinch an extra-time victory in their meeting with Cambridge United in the FA Cup second round.

Unfortunately for Wigan, their encouraging run of form was brought to an end in Tuesday's away clash against Huddersfield Town, with Ollie Turton scoring the only goal of the game to condemn the Latics to a narrow 1-0 defeat.

Their failure to find the net in midweek demonstrated why they are the league's lowest scorers, although they can take confidence from the fact they boast the second-best record in the third tier.

Leyton Orient may be hovering just above the drop zone, but they will head into the weekend in a positive mood after losing just one of their previous seven matches in all competitions.

After beating Boreham Wood on penalties in the FA Cup, the O's went on to record comfortable victories over Blackpool and MK Dons in the league and EFL Trophy respectively.

Leyton Orient had to settle for a point from their next two matches, before they claimed an extra-time victory in their FA Cup clash against Oldham Athletic, setting up a third-round tie against Championship side Derby County.

The O's enjoyed another successful outing in Tuesday's home league game against Bristol Rovers, with Dan Happe, Ollie O'Neill and Dan Agyei all finding the net in a 3-0 victory, representing their third win in four home league matches.

However, they have struggled to produce similar results in recent road trips, having taken just one point from their four away games in the third tier.

Wigan Athletic League One form:

L

D

L

W

W

L

Wigan Athletic form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

W

L

Leyton Orient League One form:

W

L

W

D

L

W

Leyton Orient form (all competitions):

W

W

D

L

W

W

Team News

Wigan midfielder Tyrese Fornah is likely to be out for around four months after undergoing ankle surgery on Monday.

Dion Rankine is pushing for a starting spot after featuring as a half-time substitute in Tuesday's away defeat to Huddersfield.

Callum McManaman came off the bench to play over half an hour in midweek, putting him in the frame for a place in Saturday's lineup.

As for the visitors, they recently confirmed that winger Jordan Graham has ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee - the same injury which saw him miss the majority of the 2023-24 campaign.

Darren Pratley will have to be assessed after he was forced off in the early stages of the 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers.

Happe is also a doubt for Saturday's away trip after he picked up an injury issue in the second half of Tuesday's victory.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Tickle; Sibbick, Kerr, Aimson, Robinson; Rankine, Weir, M. Smith, Aasgaard, McManaman; Taylor

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:

Keeley; James, Beckles, Simpson, Currie; Ball, Brown; Forde, Sotiriou, Sinclair; Martin

We say: Wigan Athletic 2-1 Leyton Orient

Written by

Ben Sully

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