Thanks
Thank you for following VAVEL.com's coverage of tonight's game.
I've been Dave Crowther-Green and you can follow me on Twitter @Dave_CGr.
Keep updated with post-match reaction and analysis on VAVEL.com
FT Wigan 3-0 Stoke
That's full-time and it's an almost-perfect performance from Wigan this evening.
They retain their 100% record since the restart and look closer towards survival.
For Stoke, however, they are now looking a vital fixture this weekend against Barnsley as the threat of relegation gets ever closer for Michael O'Neill's side.
90' 5 minutes added on
Wigan Subs
89' Double change for Wigan:
Garner and Gelhardt on for Williams and Moore
Wigan sub
80' Change for Wigan sees Massey replace Lowe.
Stoke subs
70' Triple change for Stoke:
Martins Indi, Chester and Smith replace Shawcross, Collins and Ward.
GOAL!
3-0!
It's a stunner from Kal Naismith!
He cuts inside and fires into the far corner.
A disastrous night for Stoke.
GOAL!
2-0 Wigan!
Butland fails to deal with Lowe's close-range cross and Naismith heads over the line.
63' Robinson drives into the area to cross but Butland collects at the near post
Stoke subs
56' Double change for Stoke sees Tyrese Campbell and Lee Gregory on for Tom Ince and Jordan Thompson
CHANCE!
Jamal Lowe really should double Wigan's lead.
Naismith crosses to him at the back post but he volleys against the bar.
51' Nathan Collins becomes the third Stoke player to be booked after bringing down Robinson.
50' Ward is booked for a late challenge on Naismith.
Goal correction
Wigan's goal has been officially corrected to an own goal by Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross.
Back underway
Stoke get us back underway at the DW. (1-0)
HALF-TIME: Wigan 1-0 Stoke
That's half-time and it's Wigan who are in front at the DW thanks to Kieron Dowell's goal just before the break.
A big team talk is needed from Michael O'Neill if Stoke are to get anything from this.
GOAL!
40' Wigan in front!
Dowell drives into the area and sees his low cross go past Butland.
Exactly what the hosts deserve for their performance in this first half.36' Williams is booked for a late challenge on Thompson
34' McClean shoots from just outside the area but sends it well over the bar.
Wigan sub
32' Enforced change for Wigan as Jacobs goes off due to injury. Kal Naismith on in his place.
29' Ball comes out to Morsy who tries his luck from range but shoots straight at Butland.
25' Williams curls towards the far post and forces a good save out of Butland.
24' Ince catches Dowell on the edge of the area. Wigan free-kick.
22' Cousins goes long looking for Ince in the area but the Stoke winger is caught offside
CHANCE!
15' Close again for Stoke!
Thompson's corner is driven in towards Collins who should have a free header but he can't quite get there.
14' First chance for Stoke sees Vokes connect with Thompson's free-kick and force a good save out of Marshall.
11' Byrne plays in Lowe who puts in a low cross but it's cleared by the Stoke defence
7' Lowe picks up the ball inside the area but shoots wide of the near post
2' Thompson brings down Jacobs on the edge of the area. The midfielder is booked and it's a Wigan free-kick.
KICK-OFF
We're underway at the DW Stadium! (0-0)
Teams are out
The teams are out and ready to go here at the DW.
Kick-off just moments away.
Five to go
Just over five minutes to go now until kick-off at the DW.
Be sure to stay updated with all of tonight's action by following this live blog and on VAVEL.com.
Famous face
Wigan are the latest club to install cardboard cutouts of fans in the stands.
However, as spotted by Stoke's social media team, there will be a famous face watching on at the DW tonight - Barack Obama!
🤔 Spot the famous face in the crowd...
— S t o k e C i t y F C (@stokecity) June 30, 2020
Didn't realise @BarackObama was a fan, @LaticsOfficial? 😂#SCFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/yMFTclTsuf
Pre-match reading
With around half an hour to go until kick-off, why not take a look at tonight's match preview?
VAVEL.com's Ben Durber takes a look at both sides ahead of a crucial match at the DW Stadium.
https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2020/06/29/championship/1026108-wigan-athletic-vs-stoke-city-preview-hosts-looking-to-pull-away-from-trouble-against-struggling-potters.html
Changes
Two changes for Wigan as Michael Jacobs and Leon Balogun replace Anthony Pilkington and Danny Fox.
And Michael O'Neill makes six changes to the Stoke side that lost 2-0 to Middlesbrough on Saturday, with Nathan Collins, Ryan Shawcross, Stephen Ward, Jordan Cousins, Tom Ince and Sam Vokes all starting tonight.
Mame Biram Diouf is also back on the bench for the Potters.
TEAM NEWS
Here's how both sides line-up this evening:
Wigan:
📰 Team News | Two changes for Latics against @stokecity, with Michael Jacobs and @LeonBalogun in for Anthony Pilkington and Danny Fox.
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) June 30, 2020
➕ @Gavinmassey92 returns to the squad on the bench.#wafc 🔵⚪️💚
Stoke:
📋 Michael O'Neill makes six changes to tonight's starting XI that faces @LaticsOfficial.#SCFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/Mkc13LwyGe
— S t o k e C i t y F C (@stokecity) June 30, 2020
Pre-match thoughts: Michael O'Neill
“They’re (Wigan) on a great run, I think they’ve had six clean sheets which in itself is testament to have they’ve been defensively as well.
“They will be coming into the game knowing they are a victory or a couple of victories away from securing their own Championship future.
“There is a lot at stake for both teams.”
Pre-match thoughts: Paul Cook
“If you get ahead of yourself at this level then you get flattened; good runs are like bad runs in that when you’re on them, you think they’ll never end.
"We are enjoying our wins but the turnaround is quick now and we look forwards to Stoke on Tuesday night.
"It is a massive game for both clubs and one we are going to prepare the best we can for.”
How to watch
The Wigan Athletic vs Stoke City match is available on both clubs' streaming services, iFollow Latics and StokeCity+Live.
Highlights in the UK will also be available on Quest at 10:30 pm BST.
Last time they met
An injury-time winner from Mame Biram Diouf helped Stoke snatch three points the last time these two sides met back in November 2019
Sam Morsy had initially put the visitors in front at the bet365 Stadium before Danny Batth equalised to set up Diouf's late heroics.
Injury news
The hosts have no fresh concerns going into tonight's game, with just long-term absentee Chey Dunkley out for the rest of the season with a broken leg.
Stoke, however, will be without former Wigan man Nick Powell after the midfielder was sent off for two yellow cards against Middlesbrough.
Club captain Ryan Shawcross may also be available for selection again after picking up an injury against Reading, which kept him out of Saturday's defeat.
An important week
Less could be said about the visitors' return to play, however.
After leaving it late to draw 1-1 with Reading on June 20, Stoke were dealt a humbling blow by fellow strugglers Middlesbrough last time out, as a 2-0 defeat gave new manager Neil Warnock a first win in charge.
With fixtures against Leeds, Brentford and Nottingham Forest still to come, Potters boss Michael O'Neill will see tonight and Saturday's fixture against Barnsley as must-win games.
Pulling away?
Wigan have made the perfect start since the Championship's return two weeks ago with two impressive 2-0 wins against Huddersfield Town and Blackburn Rovers.
Should they pick up three points tonight, the Latics could move as many as eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Kick-off time
The Wigan Athletic vs Stoke City match will be played at the DW Stadium, in Wigan, England. The kick-off is scheduled at 19:45 BST.
Welcome
Welcome to VAVEL.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2019/20 EFL Championship match between Wigan Athletic and Stoke City.
My name is Dave Crowther-Green and I’ll be your host for this game. We will provide you with pre-game analysis, team updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.