MX23RW : Tuesday, March 1 04:11:49| >> :120:64680:64680:
Feb 18, 2022 at 7.45pm UK at The New York Stadium
RotherhamRotherham United
1-1
WiganWigan Athletic
Rathbone (75')
Ihiekwe (73'), Wiles (90+1')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Humphrys (28')
McClean (52'), Lang (68'), Rea (90+4'), Massey (90+6')

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

Sports Mole previews Friday's League One clash between Rotherham United and Wigan Athletic, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Leaders Rotherham United play host to nearest challengers Wigan Athletic on Friday evening with the chance to move nine points clear at the top of the League One standings.

However, Wigan will move to within three points of the Millers with victory at the New York Stadium, while also possessing two matches in hand.


Match preview

Rotherham United's Freddie Ladapo celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 13, 2022© Reuters

At one stage this season, it appeared that any two of six or seven teams could earn automatic promotion from League One, but Rotherham's recent form has rendered those predictions naive.

The perception was that defeats to Accrington Stanley and Fleetwood Town would leave the Millers in a battle to remain in the top two, but Paul Warne's team have responded with six successive wins, all with clean sheets.

While it has not always been easy on the eye, Rotherham have been relentless in churning out victories, the latest coming away at Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.

Second-half goals from Freddie Ladapo and Michael Smith got Rotherham over the line at Hillsborough, and they now sit 11 points clear of third-placed MK Dons having played one fewer game.

Warne and his squad cannot afford to get carried away, particularly with Wigan standing in their way on Friday, but there is a feeling that five or six more wins from their remaining 15 games could be enough to earn a return to the Championship.

Wigan Athletic coach Leam Richardson on February 1, 2022© Reuters

If Rotherham are to receive widespread credit right now, so should Wigan, who have won two fewer matches than Friday's hosts having played two fewer games.

Like the pacesetters did not so long ago, Wigan have endured an inconsistent spell, going three games without success in the third tier, but that run has been ended with triumphs over Charlton Athletic and Crewe Alexandra.

The Latics came from behind to see off the Addicks, before they netted two second-half goals to see off the challenge of Crewe on Tuesday evening.

Having already played 12 matches since the turn of the year, Leam Richardson will be impressed with the character and stamina of his squad, and taking advantage of their games in hand would realistically leave the chasing pack scrapping over the playoff spots.

Callum Lang has rediscovered some form this month, his goals against Oxford and Crewe taking the 23-year-old to double figures in League One this season.

Rotherham United League One form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Rotherham United form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Wigan Athletic League One form:
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W

Wigan Athletic form (all competitions):
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W



Team News

Rotherham United manager Paul Warne on February 13, 2022© Reuters

Oliver Rathbone could be included in the Rotherham XI after making an impact during the second half against Sheffield Wednesday.

Jamie Lindsay will likely make way, and that may prove to be the only alteration unless Warne is left to deal with any injury issues.

Arsenal loanee Jordi Osei-Tutu made his debut as a substitute on Sunday and is a welcome option in the wing-back positions.

Richardson must decide whether to revert to a back three, a move which could see Jason Kerr and Curtis Tilt return to the Wigan XI.

Graeme Shinnie is an option in midfield if Richardson opts for fresh legs, but the remainder of the team is expected to stay the same.

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Vickers; Ihiekwe, Wood, Harding; Ogbene, Rathbone, Barlaser, Wiles, Ferguson; Smith, Ladapo

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Amos; Kerr, Whatmough, Tilt; Darikwa, Power, Naylor, McClean; Lang, Keane; Magennis


SM words green background

We say: Rotherham United 2-1 Wigan Athletic

Having gotten back on track in recent games, Wigan will fancy their chances of earning at least a share of the spoils in Yorkshire. However, we cannot back against Rotherham right now and although their clean sheet run may come to an end, the Millers could prevail by the odd goal in three.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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How you voted: Rotherham vs Wigan

Rotherham United
72.3%
Draw
16.9%
Wigan Athletic
10.8%
65
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Jordi Osei-Tutu pictured in July 2018
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Rotherham UnitedRotherham34236561194275
2Wigan AthleticWigan32206656322466
3MK Dons35199757352266
4Oxford UnitedOxford Utd35188965432262
5Sunderland351781061471459
6Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds331610747351258
7Plymouth ArgylePlymouth33168954391556
8Wycombe WanderersWycombe34151095546955
9Ipswich TownIpswich3514111053391453
10Bolton WanderersBolton35156145547851
11Portsmouth32139104335848
12Accrington StanleyAccrington34137144453-946
13Cambridge UnitedCambridge341111124649-344
14Burton Albion35128154247-544
15Cheltenham TownCheltenham34914114456-1241
16Charlton AthleticCharlton34116174147-639
17Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury34910153135-437
18Lincoln CityLincoln3398163746-935
19Fleetwood TownFleetwood32712134756-933
20AFC Wimbledon34615133953-1433
21Morecambe34710174464-2031
22Gillingham35612172855-2730
23Doncaster RoversDoncaster3685232868-4029
24Crewe AlexandraCrewe3467212860-3225

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