Oxford United will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday night’s exhausting FA Cup exit to Bristol Rovers with a return to league action against Wigan.
The U’s lost 4-3 against the Gas in extra time, but it wasn’t as straightforward as that. With the match level at 1-1, Oxford scored two quick goals inside the opening five minutes of extra time, but Rovers netted a quickfire treble after the restart to secure their progression to the second round.
Wigan also had to contend with an FA Cup replay, and that also went into an additional 30 minutes. Eventually, the Latics ran out 2-1 winners against National League Premier side, Solihull Moors.
Lean Richardson’s side are now unbeaten in five matches in all competitions with their most recent loss coming at home against Lincoln. In fact, three of their four league losses have come at the DW Stadium this season.
The defeat for Oxford was a first in seven but they haven’t lost on the road since a 1-0 deficit at Cheltenham on September 18.
With Matty Taylor netting and adding an assist against the Gas, the striker has taken his tally to nine goal contributions in just seven matches. Midfielders James Henry, Mark Sykes and Cameron Brannagan have added 13 goals between them while left-back Steve Seddon has found the net three times.
Gavin Whyte has returned from international duty but Jack Stevens and Sam Winnall remain sidelined through injury. Cameron Brannagan missed the FA Cup clash through illness but could return.
For Wigan, Tom Naylor, Jack Whatmough, Kell Watts, Curtis Tilt and Joe Bennett are doubtful, but top-scorer Will Keane, James McClean, Jordan Jones and Thelo Aasgaard have all returned from international duty.
Keane has ten goals and five assist this season with Callum Lang having also netted nine. McClean and Aasgaard have added a further eight between them.
The two sides have only met a handful of times over the years but the U’s did the double over Wigan two seasons ago with a 2-1 victory both on the road and at home. However, the Latics were unbeaten in the previous seven (winning six in succession), which included a 7-0 victory at Grenoble Road.
Predicted line-up: Simon Eastwood, Steve Seddon, Jordan Thorniley, Elliott Moore, Sam Long, Herbie Kane, Cameron Brannagan, James Henry, Nathan Holland, Gavin Whyte, Matty Taylor.
Prediction: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Oxford United
