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

Wigan Athletic will push to return to the top two of the League One table on Tuesday, when they travel to the Abbey Stadium to take on Cambridge United.

Back-to-back wins have seen the Lancashire outfit move into second spot, while their hosts have now suffered consecutive defeats in England's third tier.

Match preview

© Reuters

Following their promotion from the fourth tier last season, Cambridge United enjoyed a relatively strong start to life in League One, rising to 10th spot with 22 points from the opening 16 games after back-to-back wins over AFC Wimbledon and Morecambe.

However, their momentum was halted by a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of MK Dons, as Scott Twine and Max Watters both netted braces before Sam Smith netted a late consolation goal for the U's.

After a cup victory over fourth-tier Northampton Town, Mark Bonner's side were handed their second straight league defeat on Saturday, as Ben Wiles, Dan Barlaser and Freddie Ladapo fired promotion-chasing Rotherham United to a 3-1 win on home turf.

While they do sit in a comfortable position in 14th spot, Cambridge will be keen to return to winning ways sooner rather than later in their bid to climb back up the table.

© Reuters

The visitors arrive looking to stretch an impressive run of form, after they were out of action on Saturday due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Oxford United camp.

The Latics have started the league season in eye-catching fashion, winning 11 of their 16 games so far and collecting 34 points to sit third.

After two defeats either side of an away victory, Leam Richardson's men have put back-to-back wins together in their last two third-tier outings, defeating Burton Albion and Fleetwood Town 2-0 and 3-2 respectively, with Callum Lang, Will Keane and Curtis Tilt netting second-half goals to overturn a two-goal deficit in the latter.

Those wins leave the Lancashire outfit just two points behind league leaders Plymouth Argyle with two games in hand, and level on points with second-placed Rotherham United, and they will be desperate to continue their impressive form, having also won consecutive cup games, to climb into the automatic promotion spots on Tuesday.

Team News

© Reuters

Cambridge United winger Sam Smith comes into Tuesday's game in a hot run of form, having found the net in each of the last three matches in all competitions.

He will support lone striker Joe Ironside, who has seven league goals to his name this season, while former Norwich City star Wes Hoolahan also offers plenty of quality going forward.

With important centre-back Lloyd Jones continuing to miss out through injury, Bonner will likely stick with the pairing of Joe Iredale and Queens Park Rangers loanee Conor Masterson at the heart of the back four.

Proven third-tier striker Charlie Wyke will continue to lead the Wigan line, and Richardson has an enviable amount of quality in his attacking ranks.

Gavin Massey and Gwion Edwards will both be keen to keep hold of spots on the wings after their appearances in a recent cup win, while Will Keane should warrant a place and Callum Lang and James McClean will also be pushing for starting berths.

The Latics have lined up with a back three in recent league outings, with Curtis Tilt, Jack Whatmough and Jason Kerr shielding goalkeeper Ben Amos.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Williams, Iredale, Masterson, Dunk; May, Digby; Smith, Hoolahan, Brophy; Ironside

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Amos; Kerr, Whatmough, Tilt; Dariwka, Power, Bayliss, McClean; Keane; Lang, Wyke

We say: Cambridge United 0-2 Wigan Athletic

Given the form of the two sides and the slight difference in quality, we see the Latics extending their impressive league form on Tuesday.

They come in full of confidence, while the hosts will be wounded from consecutive defeats, and, with Plymouth slipping up on Saturday, Richardson's men will be more keen than ever to boost their bid for a return to the top two with three points.