Struggling sides Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town will go head to head in League One on Saturday afternoon at 3pm. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game.

Team news

Wigan manager John Sheridan has numerous injuries going into the game. Wigan travelled to MK Dons in midweek with four absentees, the list was added to as Will Keane, Gavin Massey and Curtis Tilt all limped off at Stadium MK. 

Sheridan will also be without Viv Solomon-Otabor and Lee Evans for the game but will be hopeful that 'Mr Versatile’ Kal Naismith and defender Darnell Johnson will be back on Saturday for the Latics. 

As for Northampton, midfielder Scott Pollock, wingback Joseph Mills and forward Joe Nutall are all out long term. Cobblers boss Keith Curle has said forward Benny Ashley-Seal will be touch and go for the game at the DW. 

Predicted Lineups

Both sides will be expected to line up in a 3-5-2 system. 

Wigan Athletic:

Jones; James, Johnson, Long, Crankshaw, Gardner, Merrie, Palmer, Pearce, Naismith, Garner.

Northampton Town:

Mitchell, Bolger, Racic, Horsfall, Harriman, Watson, Missilou, Sowerby, Hoskins, Korboa, Rose. 

Ones to watch

Wigan forward Joe Garner will be a threat for the Latics on Saturday afternoon. Garner has gone well this season, scoring five goals in eight appearances for Wigan. 

The former Preston North End and Rangers striker scored against the Cobblers on the only other occasion he has faced them and will be keen to net again, contributing towards a Wigan win in a game which is already being described as a 'six-pointer.'

As for Northampton, versatile forward Sam Hoskins will be a threat for Northampton on Saturday. Hoskins was the Cobblers top scorer last season with 12 goals and has a goal and assist so far this season. 

Unfortunately for Hoskins, he has been on the losing side the last two times he has faced Wigan, a stat he will be determined to turn around come Saturday afternoon. 

Previous meetings

The two sides have faced each other on 35 previous occasions, the first dating back to October 1928 when Wigan were victorious by two goals to nil. 

Wigan have maintained a good record against Northampton, beating them 18 times with 12 draws and five Northampton wins. Wigan haven't lost to Saturday's opponents since 2001, making them unbeaten in seven against the Cobblers. 

The last time the sides met was in February 2018 in Northampton when a Nick Powell goal gave Wigan a 1-0 win. 

Where to watch

Both sets of supporters can enjoy the game for £10 by purchasing a live video match pass.

Wigan fans can watch the game on Latics TV.

Northampton Town fans can watch the game on iFollow Cobblers.

What the managers have said

John Sheridan's has told Wigan Today that his side cannot make any excuses despite their injury problems.

"It’s disappointing,” acknowledged the Latics boss.

“And we’ve picked up a lot of injuries lately which have disrupted us.

“We’ve had several important players missing and I’m trying not to make excuses.

"We’d love to bring players in, but it is difficult at the moment.”

Northampton boss Keith Curle told the Northampton website both teams will be going into the clash looking for a win. 

“I think both teams will be going out to try and get a win and every week and every game our mindset is how do we get three points,” he said.

“It’s a great league and we want that. As a football club we want to be in a league where we have to overachieve.

“We knew this season was going to be a challenge but from the outset we’ve accepted that honestly.

“We are improving in our play and that level of improvement is not always mirrored in terms of the results."