Our prediction for this Championship match:
Out-of-sorts Blackpool will look to put an end to their four-game losing run when they take on Wigan in the relegation six-pointer. Since Blackpool are seven points behind the safe zone, this has to go down as a must-win game for the home side. Midfielder Sonny Carey is likely to drop to the bench after failing to impress in a 3-1 loss to Luton Town, with Australia international Kenneth Dougall pushing for a start. All Gary Madine, Tom Trybull, Shayne Lavery, Charlie Goode, Marvin Ekpiteta, Liam Bridcutt, and Kevin Stewart should miss out with injuries for the home team.
The Latics, on the other hand, suffered yet another dip in form, with the team losing to both Sheffield United and Swansea City, and, as a result, they have slim survival chances. Considering that the rock-bottom side have been struggling in front of goal of late, we are tempted to put our money on the Seasiders. The visitors will be without Danel Sinani, Martin Kelly, and Jason Kerr in Saturday’s clash.
Highlighted Player (Chris Maxwell):
Chris Maxwell is a Welsh goalkeeper who was born in St Asaph on July 30, 1990. Maxwell began his youth career at Penrhyn Bay (1998-2000) and in 2000 he moved to Wrexham. The 188-cm-tall shoot-stopper made his first-team debut for Wrexham at the age of 18 and he played 76 league games for the club from 2008 to 2012.
During the 2008/2009 season he spent six months on loan at Welsh club Connah’s Quay Nomads and in 2012 he joined Fleetwood Town. Chris Maxwell made 110 appearances in the league for the Trawlermen and on May 16, 2016 he signed a three-year deal with Championship side Preston North End. You should know that he managed to keep clean sheets in 38 appearances for the Lilywhites in the 2016/2017 Championship campaign.
Due to his dual citizenship, Maxwell is capable of representing both Wales and Scotland at senior level, but he played for the Dragons at youth level, being capped for the U21 team 16 times.
Highlighted Team (Wigan):
Wigan Athletic are one of the winners of the English FA Cup. The Latics won the prestigious trophy in 2013, with the team upsetting Manchester City in the title game. This is considered the club’s biggest success, but it has to be noted that Wigan played in the UEFA Europa League in the 2013/2014 season.
Wigan have been playing their home games at the DW Stadium since 1999 and they had played at Springfield Park in the past. Chorley are considered Wigan’s fierce rivals, but the two teams last met in 1971, when they competed in the Northern Premier League. The likes of Preston North End, Bury, Oldham Athletic, Burnley and Blackburn Rovers are regarded as Wigan Athletic’s rivals as well.
The club was founded in 1932 and they competed in the English Premier League from 2005 to 2013. The colour of Wigan’s home kit is blue and white (stripes).