Wigan winger Kal Naismith remains confident the Latics can maintain their strong home form when they welcome Sky Bet Championship promotion chasers Leeds to the DW Stadium.
Athletic are unbeaten in seven games on home turf this season – winning five of them – but Leeds have the joint best away form in the division.
Naismith got his first goal for the club last week in the 4-2 defeat against leaders Sheffield United and will hope to cement a regular place in Paul Cook’s side having yet to start this season after his switch from Portsmouth.
He told the club’s official website: “We’ve played a lot of the top teams here and we’ve got the best home form in the league.
“It just shows what were capable of, especially considering the other teams in this division. It’s credit to us, we’ve done well here and we want to try and continue that.
“Leeds have started the season strongly and rightfully so they’re up there with the favourites in the division, so we know we’ll be tested, but we’ve played top teams like West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City at the DW already this season and more than stood our ground.”
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa is hoping for a return to form from Samuel Saiz.
“Samu Saiz is a great player,” the Argentinian told the Yorkshire Post. “He is the player who can create the lack of balance (in the opposition) that our team needs. He is the only player in the group who can create that.
“Taking into account what he has done so far this season and what he did last year, he is the player who can create the best lack of balance in our offence.
“The most important pass that ended with the goal that was scored (against Nottingham Forest) started with Saiz. Samu’s last pass is the most aggressive one we have. Of course, after praising him like that you will ask me why he doesn’t play.
“He is not playing because he is going through ups and downs. Things like this happen. Sometimes we have to explain why Saiz is not a starter and others when (Adam) Forshaw is not a starter.”
