Preview: Bristol Rovers vs. Wigan Athletic

Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Bristol Rovers and Wigan Athletic, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Wigan Athletic will attempt to claim their second league win of the season when they travel to the Memorial Stadium for Saturday’s meeting with Bristol Rovers.

The Latics have four points to their name after four matches, while the Gas have taken seven points from their five League One outings.

Match preview
© Imago

After finishing in 15th place last season, Bristol Rovers are looking to kick on and operate in the top half of the table in the 2024-25 campaign.

The Gas are currently sitting in ninth position after winning two, drawing one and losing two of their first five league matches.

Matt Taylor’s side experienced a disappointing trip to Oakwell last weekend, falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat to leave them with just one point from their opening three away matches.

With that in mind, Bristol Rovers will be looking to return to the home comforts of the Memorial Stadium, where they have won both of their home league games this season without conceding.

The hosts will be looking to produce a similar sort of performance that saw them clinch a commanding 4-1 win in their most recent home game against Wigan in September last year.

Meanwhile, Wigan have made a disappointing start to the 2024-25 season, with their first six competitive matches producing just one victory.

They began the campaign with league defeats against Charlton Athletic and Reading which took place either side of a penalty shootout loss to Barnsley in the EFL Cup.

Shaun Maloney’s troops may have got off the mark with a 1-0 win over Crawley Town, but they have gone on to experience disappointment in their last two matches, losing to Birmingham City and Morecambe in the league and the EFL Trophy respectively.

Wigan will look to produce a positive response by claiming their first away win of the season in Saturday’s trip to the Memorial Stadium.

The Latics have won two of their last three meetings with Bristol Rovers, including a 2-0 win in April’s home clash between the two sides.

Bristol Rovers League One form:

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

Wigan Athletic League One form:

Wigan Athletic form (all competitions):

Team News
© Imago

Bristol Rovers are expected to be without the injured trio of Chris Martin, Joel Senior and Jamie Lindsay.

Defender Michael Forbes and midfielder Kamil Conteh are available for selection after returning from international duty.

Shaq Forde is likely to be given more minutes off the bench after the deadline-day addition made his debut as a late substitute against Barnsley.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the services of Tyrese Francois, Michael Olakigbe and Luke Robinson.

Full-back Steven Sessegnon is set for a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a calf injury in Wigan’s most recent league outing against Birmingham.

Deadline day addition Maleace Asamoah made his debut as a substitute in the EFL Trophy defeat against Morecambe, and while he is likely to be on the bench on Saturday, he will be keen to make his first league appearance for the Latics.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Griffiths; Moore, Wilson, Mola; Thomas, McCormick, Ward, Garrett, Bilongo; Omochere, Sotiriou

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Watson; Carragher, Kerr, Aimson, Chambers; Adeeko, Smith; Thomas, Aasgaard, Rankine; Hugill

We say: Bristol Rovers 2-0 Wigan Athletic
Bristol Rovers have picked up maximum points in both of their opening two home league games, and we think they will give their supporters another home victory to celebrate, especially as Wigan have lost their opening two away matches this season.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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