MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 14:22:00| >> :60:3588:3588:
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Brentford logo
Championship
May 2, 2015 at 12.15pm UK
 
Wigan logo

3-0

Pritchard (26'), Jota (46'), Gray (80')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Brentford vs. Wigan Athletic

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Championship clash between Brentford and Wigan Athletic.

Brentford can finish the Championship season in the playoff places on the final day, but they must beat Wigan Athletic to give themselves a chance.

The Latics will be playing in League One next year, so the home team will be confident of earning an impressive victory to put pressure on those sides above.



Brentford

Jota of Brentford celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Brentford at Craven Cottage on April 3, 2015© Getty Images

Even if they fail to reach the playoffs, it has been a remarkable season for Brentford and will be fondly remembered by the club's supporters.

The West London side's aim was to stay in the division when the season kicked off, but they could finish it in the Premier League if they reach the playoffs and succeed.

Currently they sit in seventh place in the table, two points behind Derby County in the magical sixth spot.

However, the Rams have such a superior goal difference that only defeat in their final game at home to Reading would give Brentford a chance of passing them.

As the Royals have little to play for, Derby will be confident of avoiding defeat so perhaps Brentford's fate lies in the hands of Ipswich Town.

The Suffolk side sit three points clear of Brentford in fifth, but their goal difference is very similar and they face a tough trip to Blackburn Rovers.

However, it is not a given that Brentford will be able to take advantage of any slip-ups from those around them as they haven't tasted success at home in three successive games.

Last time out they eased to a 2-0 win at Reading to record their first victory in five, so they are not entering this match in top form.

If they fail to make the playoffs then it will be the last game in charge for manager Mark Warburton, who will leave the club this summer after a disagreement with owner Matthew Benham.

He has been in charge since December 2013, and guided the club to promotion last season.

Recent form: WDDLDW



Wigan Athletic

Tim Chow of Wigan Athletic during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Wigan Athletic at The Den on April 14, 2015© Getty Images

In contrast to Brentford, Wigan started the season with hopes of returning to the top flight but will finish it firmly in the bottom three after a nightmare nine months.

The Latics' fate was confirmed in midweek when Rotherham United clinched a 2-1 win over Reading at the New York Stadium.

Wigan will play in the third tier next year for the first time since 2003, and only three seasons after they were last in the Premier League.

Manager Gary Caldwell is expected to lead their charge next year after arriving earlier this month, as the club seeks stability after two sackings.

Uwe Rosler, who led them to the FA Cup semi-finals last season, was replaced in November by Malky Mackay, and the Scotsman failed to win a single home game before he was sacked on April 6.

On the pitch they travel to Brentford in poor form, and have won just one of their eight matches while they haven't tasted success on their travels since the middle of March.

Wigan will hope to emulate the likes of Southampton, Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have all bounced back from League One at the first opportunity.

Recent form: LLDLWL



Team News

Alex Pritchard of Brentford in action during the Pre Season Friendly between Brentford and Nice at Griffin Park on July 26, 2014© Getty Images

Brentford midfielder Alex Pritchard has been passed fit to play at Griffin Park despite doubts after a calf injury.

Scottish midfielder Lewis Macleod is not ready to return after a hamstring strain, while Chris Long and Scott Hogan are unlikely to feature.

Warburton could keep faith with the same XI that saw off Reading last weekend.

Wigan will be without striker Martyn Waghorn for the clash as he serves the final game of a three-match suspension for the red card he collected away at Millwall.

Billy McKay is pushing to start up front, as Caldwell could make several changes to his side as he starts preparation for next season.

Grant Holt and Emyr Huws remain injured.

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Button; Odubajo, Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell; Jota, Douglas, Diagouraga, Judge, Pritchard; Gray.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Al-Habsi; Maguire, Boyce, Pearce, Bong; McClean, Ojo, Bo-kyung, Perch, Chow; McKay.



Head To Head

Wigan dominate the head-to-head record with 18 wins from their 32 encounters.

The sides haven't met too often this century due to Wigan's eight-year stint in the Premier League, and the majority of their games have come in English football's bottom tier.

Earlier this season they drew 0-0 at the DW Stadium, on a day where Brentford had five players booked and both sides spurned plenty of chances.

The home side haven't beaten Wigan at home since 1991, when they won 4-0 in League Two.



Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



Sports Mole Logo

We say: Brentford 3-1 Wigan Athletic

The final day of the season always tends to throw up a fascinating plot, and a Brentford win would certainly cause panic in both Derby and Ipswich.

With Wigan already relegated, we can't look beyond Brentford winning this and are going for a 3-1 home win.



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Neil Harris during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Leeds United at The Den on September 28, 2013
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