Wigan Athletic are staring a second relegation in three seasons in the face as they prepare to go into the final five games of the Championship season with a new manager.
Former club captain Gary Caldwell has replaced Malky Mackay, and young chairman David Sharpe is hoping the 32-year-old Scot, now the youngest manager in English league football, can steer them to an unlikely escape.
His first game in charge is a key six-pointer at the bottom as the Latics travel South to face Fulham in the capital on Friday night.
Fulham
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Wigan's plight has been one of the biggest surprises in the Championship this season, but Fulham are doing nearly as badly following relegation from the Premier League last term.
The Cottagers lasted 13 seasons in the top flight and have not adjusted well to life back in the second tier. They have won just two of their last 16 games to lie two places above the bottom three in 20th place.
They were 21st before last night's match across London at Charlton Athletic, but earned a point at The Valley to move eight points clear of 22nd-placed Millwall, who do have a game in hand on everyone else in the relegation mix.
Ross McCormack scored in both games over the Easter weekend to end a seven-game streak without a goal, but the £11m man is only on 12 for the season which is 16 fewer than he managed when top-scoring in the whole division for Leeds United last season.
The Cottagers' form at home has left much to be desired, with just one win in seven games and 12 goals conceded in three straight defeats to Bournemouth, Leeds and Brentford.
Recent form: LDLWLD
Wigan
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Wigan stuck by Mackay under Dave Whelan, but his grandson Sharpe hasn't wasted much time in getting rid of the Scot who didn't win a single game at home in less than five months in charge.
Given Mackay's pedigree in getting promoted with Cardiff City, it's surprising how little impact he had on a side that not long ago were in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup. Caldwell has no managerial experience, but Sharpe is confident that this is an appointment for the long term.
Wigan's chances of staying up are extremely slim with just five games to go and an eight-point gap to Rotherham United in 21st just above the drop zone.
What will give the Latics hope is their upcoming three games against Fulham, Millwall and Brighton, all sides in the current bottom six that Caldwell will hope to take a maximum nine points from.
If they don't, closing games against playoff hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford will be hard to get anything from and they could well be confirmed as down by the time they face the top-six candidates.
They might be without a home win since August, but they have won four of their last five on the road to keep alive their hopes of staying up. There should also be a sizeable away contingent in West London as the club have offered free travel to supporters.
Recent form: LWLDLL
Team News
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Matt Smith and McCormack linked up well for the Cottagers' opener at Charlton on Tuesday and the little-and-large duo could again be paired together in attack.
Bryan Ruiz and Alexander Kacaniklic both came off the bench at The Valley and will be hoping to earn a start for Wigan's visit. It's been over a month since promising young Dane Lasse Vigen Christensen's last appearance and he remains a doubt.
New boss Caldwell could make a few changes in his first game in charge as Wigan look to put a stop to a two-game losing streak.
The likes of Jermaine Pennant, Chris McCann and Martyn Waghorn will hope to earn recalls and it seems unlikely that both Marc-Antoine Fortune and Leon Clarke will start in attack.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Bettinelli; Hoogland, Turner, Burn, Husband; Tunnicliffe, Guthrie, Parker, Ruiz; Smith, McCormack
Wigan possible starting lineup:
Al Habsi; Perch, Maguire, Pearce, Bong; Pennant, McCann, Kim, McClean; Waghorn, Clarke
Referee: Mick Russell
Head To Head
The reverse fixture back on November 1 was an eventful game as six goals and two red cards were shared at the DW Stadium.
The last two meetings have been draws and eight of the last 14 meetings have been stalemates, with Fulham winning the other six to go 14 unbeaten against the Latics.
Wigan's last league win against Fulham came at Craven Cottage in October 2006, when Henri Camara's late goal proved to be the difference.
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Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Fulham 1-1 Wigan
It's a must-win game for Wigan, so Fulham should be aiming to make it hard for them as they know that a draw limits the Latics' chances of staying up. Wigan might be in decent form away from home, but it's a huge six-pointer for Caldwell's first game as a manager. A tight 1-1 draw seems the most likely outcome.
Pascal Lemesre
