Preview: Burnley vs. Wigan Athletic – prediction, team news, lineups

Burnley play host to Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon looking for the win which will take the club a step closer to promotion to the Premier League.

At a time when the Clarets hold a 17-point lead over third position in the Championship standings, the visitors are bottom and six points adrift of safety.

Match preview

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Having managed to score just one goal against a 10-man Fleetwood Town side and struggling Blackpool, there is an argument that fatigue may be setting in at Burnley.

Nevertheless, having reached the FA Cup quarter-finals while still holding a 10-point lead in the title race, Vincent Kompany will be more than satisfied in the long term.

A rare midweek off can only benefit the Clarets as they bid to extend their unbeaten record in all competitions to 17 matches at the weekend.

Such has been Burnley’s dominance in the Championship this campaign that they can reach the 80-point mark on Saturday with 10 matches remaining. Over the past five seasons, the biggest points haul that has missed out on a top-two spot is Fulham’s total of 88 in 2017-18.

That said, statistics will matter little to Kompany and his squad at this stage as they bid to move closer to getting over the line before the run-in.

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From Wigan’s perspective, this is not the ideal fixture when they have already faced West Bromwich Albion, another team with a strong home record, earlier this week.

Shaun Maloney‘s team only went down 1-0 at The Hawthorns, yet it was their fifth match without success at a time when they are losing ground on 21st spot.

Although Maloney is improving this Wigan side, just seven points have been accumulated from as many matches, something which will not be enough to avoid relegation.

The Latics do not possess the most favourable of schedules until the end of the season, either, as they prepare to try to end a winless away streak which has lasted since the start of October.

Burnley Championship form:

Burnley form (all competitions):

Wigan Athletic Championship form:

Team News

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Jack Cork could return to the Burnley XI with Josh Brownhill being ruled out for a number of weeks through the injury that he sustained against Blackpool.

Ian Maatsen may feature in the squad after a shoulder problem, but minimal changes are expected with the squad having been able to have a week without a fixture.

The likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Benson Manuel and Jay Rodriguez should be introduced back into the fold over the coming weeks.

Although Wigan gave a good account of themselves at West Brom, Maloney will likely tinker with his side for the daunting trip to Turf Moor.

Christ Tiehi will be assessed after picking up a knock on Tuesday night, with Tom Naylor potentially being recalled to match his defensive qualities.

Jack Whatmough and Joe Bennett are also alternatives in the back three with Ryan Nyambe either dropping out or reverting to a more familiar wing-back role.

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Muric; Roberts, Ekdal, Beyer, Vitinho; Cork, Cullen; Tella, Gudmundsson, Zaroury; Barnes

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Amos; Hughes, Rekik, Bennett; Darikwa, Power, Naylor, McClean; Keane, Sinani; Fletcher

We say: Burnley 2-0 Wigan Athletic

With Wigan having tightened things up at the back under Maloney, they will have the mindset that they can earn a surprise result at Turf Moor. Nevertheless, no team is yet to beat Burnley as the away side this campaign, and we do not expect that to start at the weekend.

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

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