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

Two sides at opposite end of the Championship table go head-to-head when Wigan Athletic host Sheffield United on Monday evening.

Only Huddersfield Town are keeping the Latics off the foot of the table, while the Blades are chasing Burnley at the top.

Match preview

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After sacking Leam Richardson just 16 days after handing him a three-year contract extension last month, former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure has been handed his first managerial role at the DW Stadium.

The 120-time capped Ivory Coast defender guided his new team to an impressive 1-1 draw away to Millwall in his first game in charge last weekend, with Will Keane's opener cancelled out by Zian Flemming's effort before the break.

Quite impressively considering that they were playing away from home, Wigan dominated possession with 58% of the ball at The Den, suggesting Toure will be focusing on improving the Latics' ball retention as they look to avoid dropping straight back down to League One.

That may prove difficult against a side as accomplished as Sheff Utd on Monday, with the 41-year-old likely to be content to see his team avoid defeat once again.

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Although they did win their final match before the Championship season was paused due to the World Cup taking place in Qatar, the break arguably came at a good time for Sheffield United given the amount of injuries they had.

Paul Heckingbottom's side were comfortable when dispatching rock-bottom Huddersfield 1-0 at Bramall Lane in their first game back last weekend, with Billy Sharp scoring his 116th league goal for his boyhood club.

With league leaders Burnley beating Middlesbrough 3-1 on Saturday, the Blades travel to Wigan six points behind Vincent Kompany's side, so they will certainly be hoping to halve that deficit while restoring breathing space ahead of the chasing pack within the playoff positions.

Having won without conceding in each of their last three away trips, Heckingbottom will be confident of doing exactly that, particularly at such an early stage of Wigan's development under Toure.

Team News

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Wigan will certainly remain without Jason Kerr, who is unlikely to play again this season after sustaining an ACL injury, while Tom Pearce and Ryan Nyambe remain doubts due to ankle and knee issues respectively.

Unless he contemplates changing formation in order to match up against their opponents, Toure is unlikely to make any changes from the side which earned a respectable draw away to Millwall in his first game in charge.

Sheffield United, meanwhile, are expected to travel without John Fleck, Rhian Brewster, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Daniel Jebbison and Jack O'Connell, who are all hoping to return to fitness in the coming weeks.

However, Sander Berge and Oli McBurnie came off the bench during their side's victory against Huddersfield last weekend, and the duo may be deemed fit enough to start on Monday.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Jones; Darikwa, Whatmough, Tilt, Bennett; Power, Naylor; Lang, Keane, McClean; Broadhead

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Clarke; Baldock, Norwood, Berge, Stevens; Ndiaye; McBurnie, Sharp

We say: Wigan Athletic 0-2 Sheffield United

Having won each of their last three away matches on the road without conceding a goal, Sheffield United should have too much class for Wigan.

The Latics appeared improved under Toure's management last weekend, but there is little doubt that they face a step up in class in the Ivorian's second game.

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