Blackpool vs Wigan Athletic: League One Clash Preview

As the League One season heats up, Blackpool is set to host Wigan Athletic at Bloomfield Road on Monday evening. Both teams are desperate to turn their fortunes around after enduring recent losing streaks. Currently, Blackpool sits 16th in the standings with 15 points from 12 games, while Wigan finds itself in 18th place with 13 points from the same number of fixtures.

Match Preview

Blackpool’s journey has been tumultuous since their promotion from League One in the 2020-21 season. After two seasons in the Championship, they faced relegation last term and narrowly missed out on an immediate return to the second tier, finishing eighth in League One, just three points shy of the playoff spots. Neil Critchley, who had previously led the club to playoff glory, returned as manager in May 2023 with high hopes for the current season. However, after a disappointing start, Critchley was dismissed just two games into the new campaign following consecutive defeats to newly-promoted sides Crawley Town and Stockport County.

Richard Keogh took over as interim manager, achieving two draws and a win in his three games before the appointment of Steve Bruce in early September. Bruce’s initial impact was impressive, with five wins in his first six matches. However, the team’s form has since dipped dramatically, going winless in four matches, including three consecutive losses. Bruce has been absent from the touchline for the last two defeats due to personal reasons, and his stand-in, Steve Agnew, will be looking to rally the players after a disheartening 5-1 loss to Peterborough United.

On the other hand, Wigan Athletic, who were relegated alongside Blackpool last season, have had a challenging start to their League One campaign. Managed by Shaun Maloney since January 2023, Wigan finished 12th last season, far from the playoff positions. This season, they have struggled even more, managing only one win in their first six games before a brief unbeaten run. However, they have recently suffered back-to-back defeats, losing 2-0 to Cambridge United and 2-1 to Mansfield Town. Despite having one of the league’s strongest defenses, conceding just nine goals, Wigan’s attack has been lackluster, scoring a league-low 10 goals.

The recent head-to-head encounters between these two sides suggest a balanced matchup, with both teams winning two of their last four clashes. This adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming fixture, as both teams will be eager to secure vital points.

Team News

Blackpool will be without several key players heading into this match. Elkan Baggott, Ollie Norburn, and Andy Lyons have been sidelined for weeks and are unlikely to return. James Husband and CJ Hamilton also missed the last two games due to injury and are expected to be absent again. Agnew may opt for a reshuffle in the starting lineup following the heavy defeat, with potential inclusions like Zachary Ashworth, Ryan Finnigan, Ashley Fletcher, and Sonny Carey.

Wigan, too, faces injury concerns. Luke Chambers, Callum McManaman, and Jensen Weir missed the last match against Mansfield and remain doubtful for this fixture. However, Jonny Smith made a return to the bench in the last game and could be in line for a starting role against Blackpool.

Possible Lineups:

Blackpool:

• Tyrer; Lawrence-Gabriel, Offiah, Casey, Ashworth; Apter, Finnigan, Carey, Beesley; Joseph, Fletcher

Wigan Athletic:

• Tickle; Carragher, Kerr, Aimson, Smith; Adeeko, Francois; Rankine, Aasgaard, Thomas; Hugill

Prediction

With both teams eager to end their losing streaks, this match promises to be a battle for redemption. Blackpool will be motivated to bounce back after their recent heavy defeat, while Wigan will be desperate to find their scoring touch. Given Wigan’s struggles in front of goal this season, we predict that Blackpool will capitalize on their home advantage and secure a 2-0 victory, potentially keeping a clean sheet in the process.

As the match approaches, fans will be hoping for a spirited performance from both sides, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for their respective campaigns.