Wigan Athletic have their sights set on a return to the Championship and will be keen to get back to winning ways when they travel to Gillingham on Saturday afternoon.

The Lancashire club had been level on points with leaders Sunderland before suffering only their second defeat of the season to Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

Match preview

Having lost their opening match of the season against fellow high-flyers Sunderland, Wigan went on an impressive seven-game unbeaten run, winning all but one of those matches.

Adopting a hard-to-break-down style of play, whilst mainly winning matches by a slender margin, Wigan had positioned themselves as League One's team to beat, a task Wednesday managed with relative ease.

Scoring either side of half time, before Charlie Wyke netted a consolation from the spot late on, the relegated Championship side provided Leam Richardson's men with a much-needed reality check.

Looking to bounce back against Gillingham, Wigan will have to do something they have not managed since 2004 and leave Priestfield Stadium with three points.

Winless in their last four away matches to Gillingham, Richardson's side may be enjoying their best run of form in years, yet their wretched record at Priestfield will be a cause for concern.

Additionally, the Latics have won just one of their previous four meetings with Saturday's opponents – a 2-0 victory during the club's last spell in the third-tier.

Gillingham's advantageous head-to-head record over Wigan appears to be the only thing in their favour heading into the clash, with Steve Evans's side having struggled so far this season.

Languishing in 18th just three points above the drop zone, the Gills have failed to put together a consistent run of form, winning only twice in their 10 League One fixtures this season.

Both victories came against sides promoted from League Two, with the club from Kent yet to beat any of the teams they shared a division with last year.

Into their ninth season as a League One club, Gillingham are in the midst of their longest spell as a third-tier side since the 1980s, yet relegation is threatening to establish itself as a real prospect.

Last demoted in 2010, the Gills will be desperate to maintain their status in League One and with a handsome record over Wigan at Priestfield, they should be looking to kick-start their survival campaign on Saturday afternoon.

Team News

Jack Whatmough played 90 minutes for Wigan against Wednesday, despite doubts over a hamstring injury picked up against Cheltenham Town, and the ever-assured defender will likely marshal the Latics defence against Gillingham.

Will Keane has netted four times for Wigan this season and the former Manchester United youngster will line up just behind Wyke in the Latics' attack.

In his second spell as a Wigan player, James McClean is yet to score or register an assist, yet the 32-year-old could get off the mark against Gillingham.

After racking up five yellow cards in the first nine games of the season, Jack Tucker missed Gillingham's trip to Cambridge United, but will return for the visit of Wigan.

Stuart O'Keefe sat out the hosts' previous two fixtures, but could be in contention to make a return to the Gillingham midfield this weekend.

Mustapha Carayol, Daniel Phillips and Ryan Jackson are all doubts for Saturday's fixture, whilst Lloyd Jones should at least be amongst the substitutes for the Gills.

Gillingham possible starting lineup:
Cumming; McKenzie, Ehmer, Tucker, Tutonda; Adshead, MacDonald, Dempsey; Lloyd, Akinde, Oliver

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Amos; Darikwa, Watts, Whatmough, Power; Naylor, Cousins; McClean, Keane, Lang; Wyke

We say: Gillingham 1-2 Wigan Athletic

Disappointed to have suffered defeat last time out, bouncing back will be imperative for Wigan if they are to maintain a promotion push.

Wigan will be looking for their first victory away to Gillingham in over a decade and given the form of the two sides, it would appear now is the best time for them to achieve it.

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