MX23RW : Tuesday, July 28 22:19:55| >> :120:23269:23269:
Jul 22, 2020 at 7.30pm UK at The DW Stadium
WiganWigan Athletic
1-1
FulhamFulham
Moore (32')
Morsy (17'), Robinson (44'), Williams (49')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Kebano (50')
Odoi (22'), Onomah (34'), Kebano (74'), Hector (86')

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

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Championship clash between Wigan Athletic and Fulham, including team news and predicted lineups.

Fulham will endeavour to keep their slim hopes of automatic promotion alive when they travel to Wigan Athletic on the final day of the Championship season.

Meanwhile, Wigan looked to have secured their safety in the second tier of English football, but the threat of relegation is looming following internal issues at the club.


Match preview

Wigan Athletic players celebrate their opening goal of the 8-0 hammering of Hull on July 14, 2020© Reuters

Wigan Athletic boast a remarkable set of results following the Championship's resumption, but having gone into administration earlier in July, the Latics' efforts may prove futile by the end of the campaign.

Wigan have lodged an appeal against a proposed 12-point deduction, which could see them plunge into the relegation places, but the outcome of the appeal is not expected to be announced before the final day of the season.

As a result, it is imperative that the Latics continue their strong run of form and pick up all three points against Fulham in order to give themselves the best chance of survival possible - especially after Wigan dropped two vital points in a 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic last time out.

As things stand, Wigan currently occupy 13th spot and are 10 clear of the bottom three, so if the impending 12-point deduction is to be upheld, Wigan must win and hope that other results go their way in order to remain in the Championship.

Paul Cook's men will have fond memories of their last home fixture where they put eight past Hull City without reply, and the Latics have won and kept clean sheets in all four of their games on familiar territory since the restart.

Fulham's Neeskens Kebano celebrates with teammates after scoring against Sheffield Wednesday on July 18, 2020© Reuters

Hoping to spoil the Wigan party is one of three sides still battling to secure a runners-up spot and guarantee promotion to the Premier League.

Fulham will go toe-to-toe with West Bromwich Albion and Brentford on the final day to see who will enjoy automatic promotion alongside Leeds United, and who will be forced to settle for a spot in the playoffs.

However, Fulham's destiny is out of their own hands as they lie two points below second-placed West Brom and one below third-placed Brentford heading into the final day, meaning that Scott Parker's men would have to win and hope that Brentford and West Brom both suffer defeat in order to finish second.

The second and third-placed sides will face off against Queens Park Rangers and Barnsley respectively - games that both clubs will be expected to win - so barring a shock set of results, Fulham will have to make do with a playoff spot as they aim to make an immediate return to the top flight.

The Cottagers stormed to a 5-3 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in their most recent outing, and as is the case with Wigan, Fulham are enjoying a strong spell of form as they boast five wins from their last six.

Wigan Championship form: WLWDWD

Fulham Championship form: WWWWDW


Team News

Danny Fox in Championship action for Wigan Athletic on June 27, 2020© Reuters

Wigan will have to make do without Danny Fox once again, with the defender serving the third and final game of his suspension.

Michael Jacobs missed out against Charlton and remains a doubt here, while Cheyenne Dunkley continues his recovery from a broken leg.

Despite throwing away their 2-1 advantage in the dying embers of the draw with Charlton, Cook may stick with the same starting lineup from that game for the final day.

As for Fulham, Parker will have to make do without on-loan Southampton man Harrison Reed after the midfielder was sent off against Sheffield Wednesday.

Ivan Cavaleiro is Fulham's only injury concern at the minute, with Parker otherwise boasting a clean bill of health as the Cottagers prepare for one of the most important games of the season.

Wigan possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Byrne, Kipre, Balogun, Robinson; Williams, Morsy; Naismith, Dowell, Lowe; Moore

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Christie, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Arter, Johansen; Knockaert, Cordova-Reid, Kebano; Mitrovic


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Wigan 3-2 Fulham

This is a difficult game to call. Both teams are in good spells of form and are in desperate need of a final three points for completely different reasons.

A win for either side may not make a difference to their promotion or relegation prospects depending on happenings on and off the pitch, but we are backing Wigan to scrape a narrow victory and leave their Championship status out of their own hands heading into the summer.


ID:407209:

Who will win Wednesday's Championship clash between Wigan Athletic and Fulham?

Wigan Athletic
Draw
Fulham
Wigan Athletic
32.6%
Draw
15.2%
Fulham
52.2%
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West Bromwich Albion players celebrate Ahmed Hegazi's goal against Hull on July 5, 2020
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeeds UnitedLeeds46289977354293
2Fulham4724121166481884
4Brentford472491480394181
5Swansea CitySwansea4719161263531073
6Cardiff CityCardiff471916126860873
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest461816125850870
8Millwall461717125751668
9Preston North EndPreston461812165954566
10Derby CountyDerby461713166264-264
11Blackburn RoversBlackburn461712176663363
12Bristol City461712176065-563
13Queens Park RangersQPR461610206776-958
14Reading461511205958156
15Stoke CityStoke46168226268-656
16Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds461511205866-856
17Middlesbrough461314194861-1353
18Huddersfield TownHuddersfield461312215270-1851
19Luton TownLuton46149235482-2851
20Birmingham CityBirmingham461214205475-2150
21Barnsley461213214969-2049
RCharlton AthleticCharlton461212225065-1548
RWigan AthleticWigan461514175756147
RHull City46129255787-3045

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