Tuesday night sees a massive game taking place at the PTS Academy Stadium where Northampton Town host Wigan Athletic with both teams struggling at the foot of League One.
Northampton will welcome the Latics to Sixfields on Tuesday with goal difference separating them and League One survival. The Cobblers haven't played at home for almost four weeks and come into the game off the back of a well-earned point against Accrington Stanley on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Wigan will make the trip down the M6 and M1 on Tuesday three points adrift of safety and will be low on confidence having been beaten 3-2 by managerless AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
Team news
Northampton will be without a couple of key men on Tuesday. Both Alan Sheehan and Mickel Miller are expected to be out, with Sheehan suffering a setback in his rehabilitation. Miller meanwhile is back in field-based training but is unlikely to feature.
As for the visitors, interim boss Leam Richardson will be without Kyle Joseph who has a back injury which looks to be long term. Lee Evans, Gavin Massey and Harry McHugh will all be sidelined for the game. Adam Long is a doubt and could return having recently featured for the Latics Under 23 side in recent weeks.
Predicted lineups
Northampton Town: Mitchell, Kioso, Bolger, Horsfall, Jones, Mills, McWilliams, Morris, Hoskins, Edmondson, Rose.
Wigan Athletic: Jones, Darikwa, Wootton, Tilt, Pearce, Lang, Ojo, Merrie, Gardner, Keane, Proctor.
Ones to watch
Northampton's most recent addition, Peter Kioso, will be one to watch on Tuesday. The Irishman has added a real attacking threat down the right-hand side for the Cobblers since joining on loan from Luton Town.
Kioso was brought in on loan from Luton having spent the first portion of the season in League Two at Bolton Wanderers, before Luton recalled him, sending him up a division to League One. During his time in the fourth tier, Kisoso was a success, getting himself on the scoresheet three times and grabbing an assist.
The Cobblers have struggled to find a balance in the wingback positions this season but with Kioso on the right and Joseph Mills down the left, the pair should be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season.
As for the Latics, Callum Lang will be the one to watch at the top end of the pitch. Lang will be looking to make a name for himself in the third tier after making a good impression with Morecambe and Oldham Athletic in League Two, scoring 26 goals over two seasons with the north-western sides.
The striker spent the first half of the season at Scottish Premier League side Motherwell, where he got a taste of European action. Lang scored twice in three games for Motherwell in Europa League Qualifying. His league form wasn't so impressive, but since joining the Latics he netted against Rochdale in Wigans last away trip and will be hoping to do the same against the Cobblers on Tuesday night.
Previous meetings
Since the sides first met in October 1987, there have been 36 meetings between the clubs. The record swings heavily in favour of the Latics, with 18 wins, 12 draws and six Northampton wins.
The two sides have already been to battle this season. Goals from Danny Rose, Sam Hoskins and Caleb Chuckwuemeka earned the Cobblers a 3-2 win at the DW.
Where to watch
Northampton Town season ticket holders can watch the game for free Iive on iFollow.
Cobblers fans who don't own a season ticket can pay £10 to watch the game live on iFollow.
Wigan fans hoping to watch the action can do so for £10 on Latics TV.
Pre-match quotes
Keith Curle has told the Northampton website that Tuesdays game is an important one for his side, but it will not define their season:
“Every game we’ve got an opportunity to get three points, people will highlight the importance of games against teams in and around us but whatever happens, this week won’t decide our season,” he said.
“Two good results this week would put us in a better position and what we need to do is put a run of results together.
“There will be twists and turns right to the end of the season and the coupon buster on Saturday was probably Burton beating Hull.
“You can’t guarantee where your points will come from and we need to make sure we are competitive in every single game we play.
“We created good chances at Accrington and the game plan was executed. Our best form of defence in that game was attack, we caused Accrington problems and the fact they changed their formation was a sign of real respect.
“We got good numbers into the box but we still need to improve from set-pieces. We know we can deliver the ball into good areas from both sides of the pitch but we need to then earn that extra half a yard.
“Ryan Edmondson is a runner, he works hard for the team and goals will come for him.
“When Callum Morton came in last season he had that same willingness to run and work rate. The more runs he made, the more the goals followed.”
Wigan boss Leam Richardson has told the Latics website that his side need to attack the game on Tuesday night:
“People say new teams need time to gel but we don’t have time. We have enough experience within the dressing room - again myself included.
“Now get on the bus to Northampton, attack the game, apply ourselves and get the wins we need to stay in the division.
“I’m a positive person; in my career I’ve won a lot of games, managed to be successful at a lot of clubs – here is no different. We have got criteria and myself, the lads, the staff we need to grow as a unit now anyway. The window is closed and there is a certain amount of people now that can affect our situation and they’re all in that dressing room and we will all do our best to affect it.”