Preview: Wigan v Swans

2nd October
First team

Swansea City will look to end Wigan Athletic’s unbeaten home record when they return to Championship action at the DW Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

The Swans head north in buoyant mood after last Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

But Graham Potter’s men are well aware that they will face a stern examination this evening as they take on a Wigan side who have not been beaten in a home league game since February.

The Latics lost just two third-tier games on their own patch last season as they claimed the League One title.

And having returned to the Championship at the first time of asking, Wigan have picked up where they left off on their own patch.

Paul Cook’s team have taken 13 points from their five home league games to date this term, with Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Hull and Bristol City all losing out at the DW Stadium.

Nottingham Forest, meantime, managed a draw at Wigan back in August thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Hillal Soudani.

It has been a different story away from home, where Wigan have banked one victory and lost the rest of their five fixtures so far.

Their latest setback came at Norwich last weekend, hence Cook’s side will be keen to respond by getting a result tonight.

But the Swans have proved already in 2018-19 that they are a tough nut to crack.

Having become the first team to take points off Middlesbrough on their ground this season last time out away from home, Potter’s side will believe they can now trouble Wigan.

 

TEAM NEWS

Wigan are likely to be without defender Dan Burn and winger Gavin Massey, but striker Will Grigg and wideman Callum McManaman are in contention after injury issues.

The Swans are still without Jefferson Montero and Wilfried Bony, but do not have any fresh concerns in the wake of the QPR win.

PRE-MATCH VIEWS

Jay Fulton: “It will be a test for us. They have good players who are playing with a lot of confidence after coming up last season and they have carried their good form on this year.”

Wigan boss Paul Cook: “If somebody had offered me 16 points after 10 games and eighth in the league, I’d have been absolutely delighted.”

 

REMEMBER THE LAST TIME?

The Swans enjoyed themselves on their last trip to Wigan, back in May 2013.

Roberto Martinez’s side were four days away from playing the FA Cup final, which they famously won when Ben Watson’s late goal sank Manchester City.

But there was no such joy against the Swans.

Michael Laudrup’s team had struggled for form following their own Wembley success, in the Capital One Cup final earlier that spring, but they ended a seven-game winless run with victory at the DW Stadium.

Roger Espinoza put the hosts in front before Angel Rangel levelled, then James McCarthy restored the hosts’ advantage.

But the Swans took the points thanks to goals from Itay Shechter – this was the scene of his solitary strike for the club – and Dwight Tiendalli.

 

PRIME NUMBERS

113 – Tom Carroll played 113 successful passes against QPR last Saturday, the most by a Championship player in any one game this season.

3 – The Swans have won their last three games against Wigan. They last lost to the Lancashire club in a League Cup tie in 2010.