Wigan Athletic vs Barnsley: Match Preview & Key Insights
Current Standings and Recent Form
Wigan Athletic approach this game coming off the back of Glenn Whelan’s interim reign and it’s fair to say the football wasn’t of the most exciting standard. Last time out we made a trip down South to the Valley facing playoff contenders Charlton Athletic, and sadly lost 2-1, however it has to be said that the first 25-30 minutes of the game saw Wigan put up a fairly decent fight but, after Charlton’s second goal from Matt Godden our game plan crumbled and defeat seemed inevitable. The second 45 was nothing special, although we did see Chris Sze bag a constellation goal in the 84′ minute, his first goal since 2021. However, it was to no avail and with that the game was over. Currently sat 18th, the Latics last 5 outings stand at 2 wins, 2 defeats & a draw and it’s fair to say our form is nothing to brag about, but with only 10 games to go I really hope Ryan Lowe can implement some form and on top of that a strong finish to what’s been a rollercoaster of a season.
Barnsley approach this game, coming off a difficult period, after the sacking of Darrell Clarke and the appointment of assistant manager Connor Hourihane as interim boss until the end of the campaign and his first 2 games have only delivered a point. In the Yorkshire sides last match they faced Cambridge United at Oakwell it’s fair to say it was a frustrating point after the side dominated possession by 75% to 25% and registered 16 shots, and only 4 of them on target. The match ended 1-1 with Barnsley equalising in the 92nd’ minute through Jonathan Lewis. Currently sat 11th, Barnsley’s in their last 5 fixtures have only picked up 4 points, with 1 win, 1 draw & 3 back to back defeats. The appointment of Hourihane is certainly interesting and it’s equally as interesting to see if his side can still push for a playoff side, but it will take everything they’ve got and maybe a little more.
Head-to-Head Record
Wigan Athletic and Barnsley have faced each other 20 times in competitive fixtures, with Wigan holding a slight edge in the head-to-head record. The Latics have won seven encounters, while Barnsley have come out on top six times, with the remaining seven matches ending in draws. This close record highlights how evenly matched the two sides have been over the years, often producing competitive and hard-fought contests.
Players to Watch
Wigan Athletic
Jon Mellish, James Carragher, & Dale Taylor
Barnsley
Mael De Gevigney, Luca Connell, Jonathan Lewis, & Stephen Humphrys
Predicted Lineups:
Wigan Athletic: Tickle; Carragher, Aimson, Kerr, Mellish; Smith, Norburn, Weir; Dale, Taylor, Darcy
Barnsley: Flavell; De Gevigney, Pines, McCarthy; Benson, Russell, Connell, O’Keefe; Phillips, Keillor-Dunn, Lewis
Match Predictions
Curtis’ Prediction: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Barnsley
💭 I think that this is going to be a very close fought contest as it has been over the years. It’s going to be Ryan Lowe’s first game in charge so it will certainly be interesting to see what team he picks and what tactics and formations he chooses. Furthermore, at the time of writing Barnsley are still yet to find a replacement gaffer. Therefore, I reckon with all this in mind, that one goal will more than likely dictate the outcome of this game and I believe that Wigan have got what it takes to repeat what they did at Oakwell back in November.
Charlie’s Prediction: Wigan Athletic 2-1 Barnsley
💭 Similar to what Curtis said, this won’t be a straightforward game by any means, despite Barnsley’s poor run of recent form. With it being Lowe’s first game in charge excitement lingers and I can’t wait to see the tactical tweaks that he implements and I really hope we see some different names on the score sheet.