Preview: Nottingham Forest vs. Wigan Athletic

Dougie Freedman will be looking to secure back-to-back wins in his first two games in charge of Nottingham Forest when they take on Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.

Forest recorded a 3-2 comeback victory in the Scot's first game as manager against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday following the sacking of Stuart Pearce last week.

Freedman will be looking to end a winless run of five home games, including three straight defeats, when he takes charge of his first game at the City Ground against the Latics.

Forest's home form has been a problem since the second month of the season after having a bright start to the campaign. The club have conceded the third highest number of goals in the league when hosting, which has been the main reason for their downfall.

The Midlands club will not be pleased to see the Latics enter the City Ground as they have failed to beat them in their last six matches, including this season's 0-0 draw at the DW Stadium.

Freedman will be able to field the same team that defeated the Seagulls on Saturday as Danny Collins and Chris Burke have overcome knocks, but Michael Mancienne is not fit to return to action.

Wigan are in dire straits in 23rd place in the Championship, seven points adrift of safety with just 17 matches remaining this season. It has been a dramatic fall from grace for a team that competed in the playoffs last season.

Malky Mackay's men come into the fixture without a win since Boxing Day, a run that has stretched for seven matches in all competitions, which included their 3-1 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.

With every passing game the task of avoiding relegation to League One is looking bleaker, and the last thing the club wanted to see is a Forest team re-energised with a new man at the helm.

The Latics' main problem is that they have kept just two clean sheets since November, although both of those results have come away from home. However, their form on the road still only ranks 20th in the league.

Mackay will be without Emyr Huws, who he confirmed has been ruled out for the season. Meanwhile, Chris Herd came off with a knock late in the loss to the Cherries and could be a doubt to feature at the City Ground.

Liam Ridgewell will play the final game of his six-week loan spell at the club before returning to the Portland Timbers, but the Scot could be boosted by the return to fitness of James Perch.

Nottingham Forest

Form in Championship: LLWLLW Form in all competitions: LLWLLW

Probable starting lineup: Darlow, Lichaj, Collins, Hobbs, Fox, Antonio, Gardner, Osborn, Lansbury, Burke, Assombalonga

Wigan

Form in Championship: LLDLDL Form in all competitions: LLDLDL

Probable starting lineup: Al-Habsi, Taylor, McCann, Perch, McClean, Kim, Cowie, Clarke, Barnett, Ridgewell, Kvist

Sports Mole says: 3-0