Wigan Athletic welcome Stockport County to the Brick Community Stadium on Saturday lunchtime as Gary Caldwell’s side look to build on a much-needed first league victory of the season.
The Latics finally got their 2026/27 Sky Bet League One campaign moving on Wednesday night, beating MK Dons 3-1 thanks to a Jensen Weir brace and a goal from captain Max Power. After beginning the season with three straight league defeats, it was a result — and performance — that offered some overdue encouragement.
Saturday now presents Wigan with the opportunity to turn one positive night into the beginning of a proper run.
Match details
- Fixture: Wigan Athletic v Stockport County
- Competition: Sky Bet League One
- Date: Saturday 5 September 2026
- Kick-off: 12:30pm
- Venue: The Brick Community Stadium
- TV: Sky Sports+
Latics looking to build momentum
Wigan’s opening weeks have been difficult. A 3-2 defeat at Cambridge United was followed by losses against Leyton Orient and AFC Wimbledon, leaving Caldwell’s side without a point from their first three league games.
The response against MK Dons was therefore badly needed. Weir opened the scoring before Power doubled the advantage shortly after half-time, with Weir adding his second to put the game beyond the visitors. Deadline-day signing Joe Whitworth also made an encouraging debut in goal and produced an important point-blank save while the contest was still tight.
The challenge now is consistency. Latics played with greater purpose on Wednesday and showed the quality they possess from midfield, but Stockport should provide a considerably tougher examination.
What to expect from Stockport
County arrive in ninth place with six points from four matches, having won twice and lost twice. Their results have been anything but quiet: a 3-1 victory at Plymouth Argyle was followed by a 2-1 defeat against Blackpool, before they thrashed Wycombe Wanderers 5-1 at Edgeley Park.
They were brought back down to earth by Wednesday’s 2-0 loss at Luton Town, meaning both sides enter this fixture after contrasting midweek fortunes.
Stockport have already scored nine league goals, with Harry Wood scoring twice in the win over Wycombe and both Kyle Wootton and Mikael Mandron offering a physical threat in attack. Wigan will need to defend crosses and second balls far better than they did during parts of the opening three games.
Players to watch
Jensen Weir is the obvious man in form for the Latics. His two strikes against MK Dons demonstrated the goal threat he can provide from midfield, and another influential performance would give Wigan a much stronger chance of controlling Saturday’s contest.
Whitworth will also be one to watch if he retains his place. The Crystal Palace goalkeeper looked composed on his debut despite having only just arrived at the club, and the early signs suggested he could bring some much-needed assurance behind the defence.
For Stockport, Harry Wood comes into the game after his quickfire double against Wycombe, while Mandron and Wootton ensure Wigan’s centre-backs are unlikely to get an easy afternoon.
Recent meetings
This will be the 33rd competitive meeting between Wigan and Stockport. County enjoyed the better of the most recent league encounter, winning 4-2 at Edgeley Park in February, while the sides have generally been closely matched in recent years.
With both clubs playing their third fixture in seven days, squad depth and energy could become important — particularly during the second half.
The verdict
Wednesday’s victory lifted some of the early pressure, but backing it up would make a much bigger statement. Stockport have already shown how dangerous they can be going forward, although their two defeats prove they can also be vulnerable.
Wigan should carry greater confidence into the game and home advantage could help them earn another positive result, but this looks likely to be a much tighter contest than the win over MK Dons.
C&C prediction: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Stockport County.