Wiganvs.Rotherham

The Latics will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to five matches with a victory, while the Millers are hoping to get back to winning ways after dropping five points across their last two games.

Match preview

Ryan Lowe has now been in charge for six matches at Wigan after Shaun Maloney was sacked at the beginning of March, and it would be fair to say that his team have been tough to beat in his early days at the club given their record of four draws, one win and one loss.

That being said, the new boss was made to wait more than a month for his first victory, a 1-0 win over his former club Shrewsbury Town at the Croud Meadow that was decided by a 71st-minute goal from striker Dale Taylor.

Earning three points on Friday took Lowe's side up to 16th in the table, where their tally of 50 has them seven points clear of Bristol Rovers in the relegation zone with a game in hand on the Gas.

One more win would be enough to mathematically secure the hosts' status in the third tier for another season, but considering that they have won just two of their nine home games since January, fans may have to wait to celebrate survival.

Should Wigan seize their second triumph under Lowe on Monday, then they could rise as high as 14th thanks to their superior goal difference over Exeter City, but defeat would give Mansfield Town and Peterborough United the chance to overtake and drop them down to 18th.

Meanwhile, Matt Hamshaw's Rotherham started April with an impressive three-game winning streak, but their momentum has dissipated after dropping points in back-to-back matches ahead of this clash.

Last time out, the Millers were held to a 3-3 draw by Mansfield at the New York Stadium, and the manager will be disappointed that his team gave up a two-goal lead after fighting back from a goal down themselves early on.

That stalemate kept Hamshaw's men in 13th place, but a top-half finish is still within sight given that 12th-placed Barnsley are only two ahead and 11th-placed Lincoln City are just three in front with three games to play.

Addiitionally, after winning three of their last five matches on the road - and keeping two clean sheets in their most recent three - the visitors will be confident of taking all three points at the Brick Community Stadium.

If Rotherham can get back to winning ways on Monday, then they could swap places with Barnsley should the Tykes fail to beat Peterborough, but defeat could see them fall to 15th in a worst-case scenario.

Wigan Athletic League One form:

D

L

D

D

D

W

Rotherham United League One form:

L

W

W

W

L

D

Team News

Wigan could be without attacking midfielder Jensen Weir after he was taken off with an injury against Shrewsbury, and versatile right-sided attacker Callum McManaman may take his place if he is unavailable.

In the backline, Jason Kerr should captain the side and be joined once again by fellow centre-back Will Aimson, as well as James Carragher and Luke Robinson from full-back.

As for Rotherham, goalkeeper Cameron Dawson picked up an injury late on against Mansfield, so expect Dillon Phillips to start between the sticks, protected by a back three of Joe Rafferty, Hakeem Odoffin and Cameron Humphreys.

Up top, the strike partnership of Mallik Wilks and Sam Nombe will be supported by Louie Sibley, who should operate from an attacking midfield position on Monday.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Tickle; Carragher, Kerr, Aimson, Robinson; Dale, Adeeko, Mellish; McManaman; Taylor, Asamoah

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:

Phillips; Rafferty, Odofin, Humphreys; Holmes, Mpanzu, Powell, James; Sibley; Wilks, Nombe

We say: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Rotherham United

Wigan may have had to wait for their first win under their new boss, but the fact that they have only lost one of their last six games points to their resilience.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

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