MX23RW : Thursday, December 29 07:36:06| >> :120:65660:65660:
[monks data]
Dec 19, 2022 at 8pm UK at The DW Stadium
Wigan
1 - 2
Sheff Utd
Broadhead (65')
Tilt (15')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Egan (8'), Sharp (56')
Sharp (15'), Egan (40'), Clark (67')

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

Sports Mole previews Monday's Championship clash between Wigan Athletic and Sheffield United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two sides at opposite end of the Championship table go head-to-head when Wigan Athletic host Sheffield United on Monday evening.

Only Huddersfield Town are keeping the Latics off the foot of the table, while the Blades are chasing Burnley at the top.


Match preview

Nathan Broadhead after scoring for Wigan Athletic against Birmingham City on August 20, 2022.© Reuters

After sacking Leam Richardson just 16 days after handing him a three-year contract extension last month, former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure has been handed his first managerial role at the DW Stadium.

The 120-time capped Ivory Coast defender guided his new team to an impressive 1-1 draw away to Millwall in his first game in charge last weekend, with Will Keane's opener cancelled out by Zian Flemming's effort before the break.

Quite impressively considering that they were playing away from home, Wigan dominated possession with 58% of the ball at The Den, suggesting Toure will be focusing on improving the Latics' ball retention as they look to avoid dropping straight back down to League One.

That may prove difficult against a side as accomplished as Sheff Utd on Monday, with the 41-year-old likely to be content to see his team avoid defeat once again.

Sheffield United celebrate scoring against Burnley on November 5, 2022.© Reuters

Although they did win their final match before the Championship season was paused due to the World Cup taking place in Qatar, the break arguably came at a good time for Sheffield United given the amount of injuries they had.

Paul Heckingbottom's side were comfortable when dispatching rock-bottom Huddersfield 1-0 at Bramall Lane in their first game back last weekend, with Billy Sharp scoring his 116th league goal for his boyhood club.

With league leaders Burnley beating Middlesbrough 3-1 on Saturday, the Blades travel to Wigan six points behind Vincent Kompany's side, so they will certainly be hoping to halve that deficit while restoring breathing space ahead of the chasing pack within the playoff positions.

Having won without conceding in each of their last three away trips, Heckingbottom will be confident of doing exactly that, particularly at such an early stage of Wigan's development under Toure.

Wigan Athletic Championship form:

Sheffield United Championship form:


Team News

Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck pictured in September 2020© Reuters

Wigan will certainly remain without Jason Kerr, who is unlikely to play again this season after sustaining an ACL injury, while Tom Pearce and Ryan Nyambe remain doubts due to ankle and knee issues respectively.

Unless he contemplates changing formation in order to match up against their opponents, Toure is unlikely to make any changes from the side which earned a respectable draw away to Millwall in his first game in charge.

Sheffield United, meanwhile, are expected to travel without John Fleck, Rhian Brewster, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Daniel Jebbison and Jack O'Connell, who are all hoping to return to fitness in the coming weeks.

However, Sander Berge and Oli McBurnie came off the bench during their side's victory against Huddersfield last weekend, and the duo may be deemed fit enough to start on Monday.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Jones; Darikwa, Whatmough, Tilt, Bennett; Power, Naylor; Lang, Keane, McClean; Broadhead

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Clarke; Baldock, Norwood, Berge, Stevens; Ndiaye; McBurnie, Sharp


SM words green background

We say: Wigan Athletic 0-2 Sheffield United

Having won each of their last three away matches on the road without conceding a goal, Sheffield United should have too much class for Wigan.

The Latics appeared improved under Toure's management last weekend, but there is little doubt that they face a step up in class in the Ivorian's second game.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 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.Under 3.5:data

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Game History

How you voted: Wigan vs Sheff Utd

Wigan Athletic
18.5%
Draw
6.5%
Sheffield United
75.0%
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Leicester City first team coach Kolo Toure during the warm up before the match on January 1, 2020
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Burnley24148249242550
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd24145541212047
3Blackburn RoversBlackburn24130112828039
4Watford2410773024637
5Norwich CityNorwich2410593127435
6Millwall2310582926335
7Queens Park RangersQPR2410592727035
8Reading24112112834-635
9Sunderland249783327634
10Preston North EndPreston249782324-134
11Middlesbrough249693631533
12Luton TownLuton238962625133
13Coventry CityCoventry239682625133
14West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom248883126532
15Birmingham CityBirmingham248882625132
16Swansea CitySwansea248883134-332
17Stoke CityStoke2486102832-430
18Bristol City2476113134-327
19Rotherham UnitedRotherham246992834-627
20Cardiff CityCardiff2476112028-827
21Hull City2476112741-1427
22Blackpool2467112635-925
23Wigan AthleticWigan2466122438-1424
24Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2364132130-922

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