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

Ipswich Town will travel to Wigan Athletic on Saturday, and the visitors will be looking to end a three-game winless run in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Wigan head into the weekend in second position, and they will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

Match preview

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Wigan are level on points with league leaders Rotherham, but the Latics hold the advantage of possessing a game in hand over their promotion rivals.

Last weekend, Leam Richardson's side edged out Colchester United in the FA Cup, with a Callum Lang brace helping Wigan to a 2-1 victory

The Latics turned their attention back to league matters in midweek, and their contest with Shrewsbury Town seemed to be heading to a draw after Ryan Bowman cancelled out Tendayi Darikwa's opener, but Wigan snatched all three points in stoppage time thanks to Thelo Aasgaard's winner.

Richardson's side will now try to win their third consecutive home league game with the potential that a victory could take them top.

The hosts will be confident of doing so, having scored 36 league goals this season, while they boast the second-best defence in League One after only conceding 17 goals this term.

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Ipswich relieved Paul Cook of his duties as manager after their goalless draw with AFC Barrow in the FA Cup last weekend.

The Tractor Boys are yet to appoint a permanent boss, with John McGreal put in interim charge, and his first game at the helm took place in midweek.

Unfortunately for McGreal his interim reign started in defeat with goals from Jayden Stockley and Alex Gilbey helping Charlton Athletic to a 2-0 victory.

With one win in their last six competitive fixtures, Ipswich are in need of a positive run of results if they are to close the nine-point gap to the playoffs.

Their away form is also in need of improvement after only winning three league games on the road this term.

Team News

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After signing a new four-and-half-year deal with Wigan, Aasgard will be aiming to score in consecutive matches on Saturday.

James McClean came back into the starting lineup for the midweek fixture, and he will keep in his place in the side for this weekend's contest.

With 16 league goals between them, Lang and Will Keane will pose the main goal threat for the hosts.

Meanwhile, Kane Vincent-Young came into Ipswich's starting lineup on Tuesday, and he is likely to keep his play at right-back for Saturday's encounter.

Macauley Bonne is expected to get the nod upfront, and he will be aiming to add to the 11 league goals that he has already scored this season.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Amos; Darikwa, Whatmough, Tilt, Bennett; Naylor, Cousins, Keane; Massey, McClean, Lang

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Walton; Vincent-Young, Nsiala, Edmundson, Donacien; Morsy, Evans, Fraser; Aluko, Edwards, Bonne

We say: Wigan Athletic 2-1 Ipswich Town

Ipswich know that if they harbour ambitions of reaching the playoffs then an upturn in results is required, but we that think they will fall short on Saturday when they travel to a Wigan side who have proven to be a strong force in League One this term.

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