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

Northampton Town will host Wigan Athletic on Saturday in their latest League One fixture, with each team currently aspiring to earn three points for very different reasons.

The Latics are currently trying to push away from the relegation zone, while the hosts are focusing on placing pressure on the teams in the playoff positions.

Match preview

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With only one loss in their previous six League One matches, Northampton have showcased brilliant consistency which has led to the club climbing up the league table to be in contention for a playoff place.

While there are still seven points between them and Barnsley at the moment, if the Cobblers can maintain their recent form then they could put themselves in contention for securing promotion this season.

Northampton have won consecutive matches heading into this weekend, the most recent of which was a resilient 1-0 win against Cheltenham Town with a Kieron Bowie penalty proving to be the difference.

Jon Brady will want to see more attacking quality from his squad moving forward because the Cobblers are the only team in the top 10 with minus goal difference, which could be crucial due to how tight the division is at the moment.

However, a stronger performance from Northampton than when they previously faced Wigan will be required as they suffered a 2-1 loss when the two teams met earlier this season.

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That was one of 10 victories that the Latics have secured throughout this campaign so far - a tally only the top nine teams in the division can better.

Indeed, Wigan would sit neatly in 10th place, just one place and one point behind Saturday's opponents, had it not been for their eight-point deduction at the start of the season.

As it is, they find themselves only three places and four points above the relegation zone and, while they have done well to swiftly wipe out the handicap with which they started the season, a recent slump in form has reminded them that the threat of demotion to League Two is not yet entirely eliminated.

After losing just one of 14 games in all competitions between October 10 and December 9, Wigan have now lost four of their last six outings and are winless in each of their past seven.

In fairness to the Latics, the most recent of those was against Premier League side Manchester United in the FA Cup third round, and manager Shaun Maloney will feel as though his side gave a good account of themselves in that match.

Wigan also accrued four points from their last two League One games either side of the New Year, so their recent form has shown signs of being back on the up, but away from home things still look bleak.

October's 2-0 triumph at relegation-threatened Exeter City is their only away win in the league since August, amassing only six points from the last 30 on offer on their travels.

Team News

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Bowie is expected to keep his position for the Cobblers this weekend after scoring his sixth goal of the season during their last outing from the penalty spot.

However, Brady will be forced into making one major change to his starting lineup as goalkeeper Max Thompson has returned to Newcastle United following his loan spell in League One, which should allow Lee Burge to come back into the team.

The visitors are currently dealing with several injury problems at the moment with Tom Pearce set to miss out on this match, meanwhile Stephen Humphrys and Scott Smith are also doubts even though they are expected back sooner than later.

Maloney has confirmed that Jason Kerr is fit enough to be in the squad this weekend, while Matt Smith is waiting on a late fitness decision to determine if he can travel, which should add a major boost.

Northampton Town possible starting lineup:

Burge; McGowan, Guthrie, Sherring, Brough; McWilliams, Sowerby, Leonard; Pinnock, Simpson, Bowie

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Morrison, Sessegnon; Shaw, Adeeko; McManaman, Lang, Godo; Magennis

We say: Northampton Town 2-0 Wigan Athletic

Wigan have been poor away from home for a number of months now, and while they have shown signs of improvement in recent games following a difficult festive period, this fixture could be a tough one to achieve another.

Considering the strong performances that Northampton have put on this season, the Cobblers will not be expecting to slip up here as they attempt to push towards the playoff positions.

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