Derby day in the northwest, as two former Premier League sides battle it out in League One with Bolton Wanderers hosting Wigan Athletic.
The Trotters have only lost one game this season but have failed to turn draws into wins, with just two victories on the board this season.
The Tics may have lost more games than Bolton, yet they do have one more win than their local rivals, beating Doncaster Rovers in their last game. Ryan Lowe will hope to bring that form into Saturday.
All Ties in Recent Years Between Wigan and Bolton
| Total | Bolton | Wigan | Draw | |
| Games | 20 | 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Goals | 49 | 20 | 29 |
Bolton Wanderers have secured just one win over Wigan Athletic in 10 years, with Chris Forino scoring a later winner in last season’s reverse fixture to end the hoodoo.
In fact, the last time the Tics lost in Bolton was in November 2014, losing 3-1 in what was then a Championship fixture.
Steven Schumacher, who helped Bolton finally get a win over their rivals, will be hoping to repeat the feat at home, with over 24,000 fans expected at the Toughsheet Community Stadium for this game.
Key Stats
- Wigan Athletic have lost just once in 10 games vs. Bolton Wanderers.
- Bolton Wanderers have scored seven goals in their last five fixtures.
- There have been no draws between these two teams in their last four meetings in all competitions.
- Wigan Athletic’s Sam Tickle is ranked third in League One for saves per match with 2.9.
- Bolton Wanderers haven’t lost in seven matches in all competitions.
Bolton Wanderers Team News
The Whites were once again saved by some brilliance from Brighton & Hove Albion loanee, Amario Cozier-Duberry in their last match vs. Leyton Orient.
The winger left defenders on skates as he cut in to curl the ball into the top corner and secure Wanderers a 1-1 draw in London.
Whilst fans are worried that he may be victim to the dreaded recall clause in January, he will be available for this game and could be the difference maker.
Elsewhere, both Eoin Toal and Josh Sheehan could return to the starting line up after returning from international duty and featuring on the bench last week.
Victor Adeboyejo, Kyle Dempsey and Jordi Osei-Tutu all remain out until at least October.
Possible Lineup
Teddy Sharman-Lowe (GK), Josh Dacres-Cogley, Chris Forino, George Johnston, Max Conway, Aaron Morley, Xavi Simons, Amario Cozier-Duberry, John McAtee, Thierry Gale, Mason Burstow
Wigan Athletic Team News
Ryan Lowe’s Wigan currently sit above Bolton in the table thanks to last week’s emphatic win over division new boys Doncaster Rovers.
Whilst Lowe stated that the Tics were finally starting to click, it appears the team could still be without captain Jason Kerr, with the player set for a late fitness test in order to make it to derby day.
Elsewhere Wigan will be without James Carragher and Christian Saydee.
Possible Lineup
Sam Tickle (GK), Stephen Sessegnon, Will Aimson, Morgan Fox, Matthew Smith, Fraser Murray, Ryan Trevitt, Callum Wright, Josheph Hungbo, Dara Costelloe, Paul Mullin
Bolton Wanderers vs Wigan Athletic Prediction
Former colleagues Schumacher and Lowe face off once again in this hotly anticipated fixture.
Schumacher took the win last season and will be hoping to repeat the feat as he continues to turn the tide for Bolton in local derby games. The Trotters have played some impressive football this season but have failed to be clinical at either end of the pitch, needing some last-ditch goals to save some points.
Lowe’s Wigan have been on a slow burn this season. The club’s recruitment took a little longer to come together but since assembly the correct pieces, the team have begun to show just what they can do. They will be hoping their luck in Bolton hasn’t worn off as they come looking for points once again.
Changes for either side are inevitable as this will no doubt be a physical game, one that suits Wigan a little bit better. Either way, Bolton have the firepower and creativity to really rip this one open, if, and it’s a big if, they can find the back of the net.
A game that would suit the away side a little more but on derby day, you can never tell. I have Bolton stopping the Wigan dominance again, just for a point this time.
Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Wigan Athletic
