Verdict: Wigan Athletic draw no bet
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Getting the 2025/26 campaign underway on Saturday afternoon, Wigan will welcome Northampton to the Brick Community Stadium.
Wigan Athletic
Starting with the hosts, slumping to a bottom-half finish last season and spending large spells of the 2024/25 campaign looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap, Wigan are desperately seeking some kind of stability this time around. Signing off last season with a 1-1 stalemate away at Saturday’s guests, mustered just a pair of wins from any of their final 11 League One appearances – a rut that stemmed all the way back to March 8th. With plenty of pressure on their shoulders this time around, Wigan also know the importance of finding some much-needed fluidity on home soil. In fact, the Latics have failed to register consecutive League One victories at the Brick Community Stadium since way back in March 2024.
Wigan Athletic Team News
Completing a season-long loan switch from Championship outfit Wrexham this summer, Paul Mullin will make his competitive debut on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, arriving from Burnley on a permanent deal, Irish youngster Dara Costelloe will feature here.
However, still dealing with a long-term knee injury, academy graduate Joe Adams remains on the sidelines. Shown a straight red card against Northampton on the final weekend back in May, Will Aimson will miss out through suspension.
Northampton Town
As for the visitors, only just limping over the finishing line last season as they clung to their League One status, it is no secret that many are tipping Kevin Nolan’s men for another relegation scrap in England’s third-tier this time around. Only winning a pair of their final 10 appearances last year, the former West Ham coach has quite the job on his hands at Sixfields. Despite signing off their pre-season preparations with a shock 3-0 victory against Birmingham last weekend, Saturday’s guests will be concerned by a nightmare record against the Latics. Hit with a 2-1 defeat when they travelled to Greater Manchester last season, Nolan’s camp have lost seven of their eight historic trips to Wigan.
Northampton Town Team News
Both completing their own respective summer moves from Premier League outfit West Ham, the duo of Kamarai Swyer and Michael Forbes could feature here. Completing a permanent switch from Barrow last month, Dean Campbell should start in the middle of the park.
However, both still dealing with respective injury issues, Northampton are expected to be without the duo of Nesta Guinness-Walker and Conor McCarthy this weekend.
Wigan Athletic vs Northampton Town Key Factors to Consider
- When Wigan and Northampton signed off the 2024/25 campaign back on May 5th, Saturday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at Sixfields.
- Wigan have lost just one of their previous 13 meetings against the Cobblers – a run that stems all the way back to 2001.
- Likewise, Wigan have won seven of their eight historic meetings against Northampton on home soil.
- All of the last four meetings between Saturday’s opponents have finished with both teams finding the net.
- However, all of Wigan’s final six home fixtures last season finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Two camps who spent the majority of last season looking over their shoulders, Wigan and Northampton are both hoping for smoother sailing this time around. With Saturday’s opponents signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a 1-1 stalemate at Sixfields on May 5th, both sides could be smelling a potential opportunity to open proceedings with an early boost. However, with Wigan winning seven of their eight historic showdowns against the Cobblers in Greater Manchester, we are backing a home draw no bet on Saturday afternoon.
Verdict: Wigan Athletic draw no bet
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet