Two sides fighting different battles meet at the DW Stadium on Saturday as relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic face play-off chasers Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Paul Cook’s side currently sit 17th in the league but are only three points off the drop zone, meanwhile Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn are 8th and just a point behind 6th place Preston North End.
Both teams enjoyed a winning return to Championship football following the break. Wigan eased their relegation fears with a 0-2 away win at fellow strugglers Huddersfield, meanwhile Blackburn beat play-off rivals Bristol City 3-1 at Ewood Park.
Wigan are unbeaten in their last seven games which includes impressive wins against Millwall, Reading and West Bromwich Albion, whilst Blackburn’s win on Saturday ended a run of four games without a win.
The earlier season fixture between the sides produced an entertaining goalless draw with both teams creating good opportunities to score but neither could break the deadlock. The game would mainly be remembered for a horrendous knee injury to Blackburn’s top scorer Bradley Dack which would have seen the 26-year-old miss the remainder of the normal season.
Team News
Chey Dunkley is still absent after suffering a broken leg suffered in the Latics win against Reading in February.
Antonee Robinson is closing in on a return to fitness after he needed a medical procedure to correct an irregular heart rhythm.
Blackburn will remain without midfielder Bradley Dack (knee) who continues to get back to full fitness.
John Buckley will also be unavailable due to suspension.
Blackburn’s attacking prowess was on full display on their return against a tough Bristol City side and I can see a similar situation this time. Although Wigan are in good form, I think the realistic chance of Blackburn getting into the playoffs will give the players a real drive that will see them take all three points.
Match Preview written by Dan Chenery.